Karnataka private vehicle owners cry foul over Shakti scheme, demand reimbursement
The forum of private vehicle owners also stated that they will be giving a week’s time for the government to act on a memorandum. Failing which, the forum has threatened to go on a statewide protest on July 28.
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The forum consists of auto-rickshaw driver unions, private bus operators association, and maxi cab drivers. (Express photo) Claiming their business has been hit by 50 per cent since the introduction of Shakti Scheme, a federation of Karnataka Private Vehicles Owners Thursday threatened to launch a state-wide strike on July 28 unless they are reimbursed by the government on the lines state transport corporations were being compensated to transport women at no cost.
Nataraj Sharma, president of the private bus owners association said, “Giving free bus services to women has devastated our business. Our business is down by nearly 60% and the bus operators and the drivers are feeling the pinch. We cannot pay our EMIs, clear our debts, meet the maintenance costs and cannot meet our day-to-day needs. Upon that, we have to shell out over Rs 1 lakh every quarter depending upon the type of vehicle for road tax. The diesel prices have touched the roof. If this situation continues, it will socially and economically endanger the lives of lakhs of people running private transport services.”
The forum of private vehicle owners also stated that a memorandum will be submitted to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and that they will be giving a week’s time for the government to act on it. Failing which, the forum has threatened to go on a statewide protest on July 28.
“We are giving the government a 7-day ultimatum once we submit our memorandum. They have to fulfill our demands. If they cannot roll back the Shakti scheme, at least they can reimburse private operators similarly. We also want the government to support auto drivers with additional grants. If these demands are not met, we will call for a statewide protest,” Sharma said.
The forum consisting of auto-rickshaw driver unions, private bus operators association, and maxi cab drivers also demanded tax exemption, a Rs 10,000 monthly grant for auto drivers, and a reduction in diesel prices.
Shakti Scheme is one of the five major poll guarantees of the Congress, which was implemented on June 11. As per the scheme, the government reimburses the transport corporations based on the distance traveled by the women. Along the same lines, private vehicle owners who are operating transport services such as bus, taxi, auto, tourist bus, have demanded similar reimbursement.
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