Snap strike by auto-rickshaw drivers in the city

Vehicular traffic in the heart of the city is going to be disrupted for hours as auto-rickshaw drivers are going on a snap strike from Town Hall to Freedom Park from Thursday noon.

Auto-rickshaw drivers alleged that there is too much harassment by traffic police for not renewing the display license, they are fining up to Rs 5,000. They show nearly 40 cases whenever we go for renewing display license.

"Traffic police take photographs of parking auto-rickshaws at auto stands and then they upload them to generate fine. Whenever we go for renewal of license and display board, they ask us to pay the fine to get it renewal, this is the major harassment by the traffic police. We show the display board but renew only driving license. There are a lot of irregularities in the regional transport office whenever we go for renewal", T N Srinivasa, general secretary Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union.

Shankar, another driver said, "all auto-rickshaw drivers are poor and most of us do not have houses. The government had announced 30,000 subsidy for shifting from two-stroke auto-rickshaws to four-stroke and even announced Rs 32 crore in the budget but due to the official's negligence, that money was not utilized".

"If we want any financial help we have to contact private financiers who charge nearly 36 % per cent interest per annum, the government has to help us to take loans from banks whenever we are in need of money. There are no facilities and benefits from the welfare board", Srinivasa said.

We are conducting a rally and staging to protest to fulfil our demands, said, union members.