Auto drivers demand hike in existing fare structure

It may be mentioned here that the JAC has already given an indefinite auto strike call from May 16 in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area demanding stern action against the illegal activities of Ola and Uber companies and withdrawal of RTA and Traffic Police joint decision to cancel permits of erring auto derivers from May 16.

            JAC leaders Mohd AmanullahKhan, J. Ravinder, M.A. Saleem, Mizra Rafath Baig and K. Lakshmi Narsaiah, in a



joint statement pointed out that the main reason for the auto drivers demanding extra fare and refusal to come on hire is the high cost of living and also high cost of auto operational charges.  They said the existing Rs 20 minimum fare and Rs 11 per kilometer rate was fixed by the previous Andhra Pradesh Government in the month of February 2014.  Since then, the cost of essential commodities and the vehicle maintenance charges have been almost doubled. For instance, the auto third party insurance rate was just Rs 2900 then and Rs 4800 now per annum.

            They said in Chennai city the auto minimum fare is Rs 25 while the rate in Bengaluru per km was Rs 123.  The auto drivers also demanded Rs 25 minimum and Rs 13 per km rate. They also said the proposed indefinite auto strike from May 16 will not be withdrawn till the achievement of the auro drivers just demands.