Taxi drivers hold dharma to regulate online apps in Telangana

The Telangana State Taxi and Drivers Joint Action Committee held a dharna in front of the transport commissioner’s office here on Tuesday, seeking a law on the lines of the one enacted by the Rajasthan government to regulate online apps as well as the constitution of a welfare board.  

Among their demands was the introduction of legislation guaranteeing the social security of gig and platform workers, an increase in accident insurance from 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs, an increase in fare slabs, parking places, removal of the penalty for failing to renew driving licences, a ban on ride-hailing app services, and the abolition of green tax and quarterly tax. They also wanted the government to develop a ride-hailing app.

They said the minimum autorickshaw fare of 20 was last revised by the Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy government, and the price of petrol had gone up from 30 to 100. since then. "We want the minimum charge to be



revised to 40, said Jogu Ramulu, joint secretary of, Autorickshaw Drivers Union affiliated to the AITUC.

He said the ride-hailing apps were affecting the traditional vehicle drivers. "The removal of road tax of 350 has not benefited us as we are losing that amount with just one challan." He said all insurance companies had increased insurance premiums.

"We want a revision of rates of cabs given on hire to government departments from 34,000 to 56,000 per month. All pending bills should be cleared immediately," said Shaik Salauddin, co-convenor of the Telangana Telangana State Taxi and Drivers Joint Action Committee.

"Many of us are owner-drivers. For a fixed payment of 34,000 per month, we have to foot all the expenses. I had to barter my wife’s jewellery to see me through," said a driver whose bills the commercial tax department had not cleared.