Delhi’s 55,000 auto-rickshaw drivers plan strike Tuesday

NEW DELHI - Around 55,000 auto-rickshaw drivers here would go on strike Tuesday against the government directive for re-allotment of drivers’ badges to them.

“Around 10 years ago, we were issued temporary driver badges after we had paid Rs.400 and attended two-day class. The government had promised to replace these with permanent ones,” said M.S. Mansoori, general secretary of the Rashtriya Rajdhani Shetra Tin-Pahiya Chalak Union, Delhi.

“But now the government is again asking us to pay Rs.600 and appear in a fresh test,” he said.

“Why should we keep on paying money again and again? Can’t the process be carried out in a more planned manner? We can’t afford to waste money like this,” he added.

The auto-rickshaw drivers have also accused the government of making arbitrary laws which affect them without even consulting them.

“The transport department makes laws in airconditioned rooms and we have to abide by them. The auto-rickshaw drivers are facing problems from getting a smart card to the vehicle fitness certificate,” added Mansoori.

Since the last eight days, the computers are out of order at the Burari Inspection Office of the transport department, Mansoori complained. Every day around 200-250 autos are issued fitness certificates at the Burari office.

“They didn’t inform us about this. Every day some auto drivers waste fuel and time by going there. Moreover, if we don’t get the certificates, we are issued challans by the traffic police,” he added.

“If our demands are not met by tomorrow, we will hold a meeting with all other auto organisations and decide the next course of action,” he warned.