The Bharat Bandh on 20 and 21 February and the 1 to 4 March auto strike in the national capital has taken a heavy toll on the finances of auto driver Viren Yadav. And his is not the only story of woe. Though the strike was called off on 4 March, after the Lt Governor's assurance that he would look in to the auto drivers' demands, the four days of strike had already resulted in heavy losses for the lakhs of auto drivers involved in the strike. Apart from fare hike, the drivers want modern meters, panic buttons, microphones and more GPS installed in the vehicles. These were supposed to have been installed in 2011, but nothing has been done on that front yet.
'Among the 70,000 autos which are running on Delhi's roads only 15,000 have Global Positioning System GPS,' said Rajinder Soni, General Secretary, Delhi Autorickshaw Manch and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union. The cost of the devices had earlier been estimated at Rs 15,000, but after negotiations it was slashed to Rs 7,500. The auto unions, however, said the prices were still too high. 'They have already taken Rs 13,400 for installing modern meters, but only a few autos have received them,' addedSoni. The auto rickshaw drivers have also demanded a hike in tariff, arguing that the cost of CNG has gone up. Auto fares were last increased in June 2010, they claim. Drivers allege that they are also facing problems in getting driving licences. According to the members of the auto union, they strike was started because none of their above concerns, as well as other ones such as the institution of a welfare board, provisions for two uniforms, healthcare facility and pension were addressed.
Commuters who have had to long suffer the whims of the auto drivers were however, not totally supportive of their demands. 'For too long the auto unions in Delhi been had their way with the people, and been fleecing the population. They refuse to follow traffic rules, don’t go by the meter. The government must force them to abide by the laws. GPS is important given the state of law and order,' said Abhijeet Das, a commuter.
ON THE AGENDA
Apart from fare hike, the drivers want modern meters, panic buttons, microphones and more GPS installed in the vehicles
They also want the institution of a welfare board, provisions for two uniforms and healthcare facility for drivers
'Among the 70,000 autos which are running on Delhi's roads only 15,000 have Global Positioning System GPS,' said Rajinder Soni, General Secretary, Delhi Autorickshaw Manch and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union. The cost of the devices had earlier been estimated at Rs 15,000, but after negotiations it was slashed to Rs 7,500. The auto unions, however, said the prices were still too high. 'They have already taken Rs 13,400 for installing modern meters, but only a few autos have received them,' addedSoni. The auto rickshaw drivers have also demanded a hike in tariff, arguing that the cost of CNG has gone up. Auto fares were last increased in June 2010, they claim. Drivers allege that they are also facing problems in getting driving licences. According to the members of the auto union, they strike was started because none of their above concerns, as well as other ones such as the institution of a welfare board, provisions for two uniforms, healthcare facility and pension were addressed.
Commuters who have had to long suffer the whims of the auto drivers were however, not totally supportive of their demands. 'For too long the auto unions in Delhi been had their way with the people, and been fleecing the population. They refuse to follow traffic rules, don’t go by the meter. The government must force them to abide by the laws. GPS is important given the state of law and order,' said Abhijeet Das, a commuter.
ON THE AGENDA
Apart from fare hike, the drivers want modern meters, panic buttons, microphones and more GPS installed in the vehicles
They also want the institution of a welfare board, provisions for two uniforms and healthcare facility for drivers