Mumbai:
It has just been two months since autorickshaw fares were hiked from Rs 9 to 11, the autorickshaw unions across Maharashtra have threatened to go on strike once again if their demands are not met.
Over 40 autorickshaw unions across the state have submitted a memorandum to Minister for Transport of Maharashtra, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Minister of State for Transport Gulabrao Deokar, highlighting their demands.
Nearly 15 lakh autorickshaw drivers across Maharashtra have decided to go on strike on October 26 to voice their demands.
The demands of auto rickshaw unions include fare equivalent to that in Delhi, fare to be increased every 12 months and welfare board for auto drivers among others.
"The cost of living has become too high for the auto rickshaw drivers to manage. In Delhi the state government there has gone into the economics after calculating the
expense and income of the auto drivers. So, we want the state government here to follow the Delhi model," Mumbai Autorickshaw Union, President, Sharad Rao, said.
Due to attacks on auto drivers, we must be made public servants so that serious action can be taken against those who attack us. Also, a welfare board be set up that would look into medical and other allowances of the drivers, Rao said.
Since June 24, minimum auto fare was increased from Rs 9 to Rs 11.
They had demanded a minimum fare of Rs 15 but after negotiations with state government, unions agreed to a
Rs 11 minimum.