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Delhi

Auto-rickshaws to go on strike on 20, 21 Feb

With the auto drivers in the capital going on two-day strike from 20 February, the city is likely to see many a  frazzled commuter.

 The national president of Rashtriya Majdur Transport Union, Rajender Soni, has announced a strike on 20 and 21 February. No auto rickshaws would run on the streets of the capital.

The strike is to reiterate the demands of the auto rickshaw drivers who want the auto fares to be increased due to the hike in the rates of CNG. Where earlier in 2010 the price was Rs 21.90 it is now raised to Rs 39.90. But, according to auto drivers, the auto fare still remains the same which is turning out to be a matter of concern as they are not able to fulfill their basic expenditures.

Transport minister Ramakant Goswami said, ‘We are meeting with the union leaders on Tuesday to settle the issue and see what can be done to solve this and also what measures can be done to fulfill the demands of the auto rickshaw drivers.’

At present there are 15,000 new auto rickshaws in the capital which takes the total number of auto rickshaws to around 70,000. Out of which, 3,000 are not registered yet. The city also boasts of 12,000 local taxis.

The auto drivers, fed up with police harrasment, have plans to squat in front of the police headquarters as well on 18 February, demanding the Delhi government, lieutenant governor and the Delhi police to take their woes seriously.  According to them, the GPS installed in 15,000 auto rickshaws are not functional and they also claim that there are no control rooms to operate them.
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