Auto strike called off after Transport Minister Gopal Rai gives word ‘in writing’

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Rai assured the union representatives the government was looking into their demands to discontinue app-based cab services in Delhi, licences of errant drivers not be suspended for three months, distribution and sale of new autorickshaws to replace older ones no longer be delayed, fresher and gender sensitisation classes during renewal of licences and issuance of fitness clearance certificate be discontinued, among others.

“I assured them all demands are being considered by the government. We are looking into them,” said Rai.

Rajender Soni, general secretary of Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh, and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union, which are under BMS, said, “We had a three hour meeting with the minister. The government assured us in writing that it will completely clear Delhi of app-based cabs which arbitrarily charge customers and are not regulated by the government. They have been eating into our earnings. We want to thank the government for agreeing to our demands.”

The government’s nervousness for Monday’s preparations was palpable before the breakthrough. A 50-second voice message from Rai and text messages against the strike was circulated on WhatsApp groups and phones of autorickshaw drivers all through Sunday.

Earlier in the day, at least eight autorickshaw unions, including those allied with the Congress, said they would not participate in the bandh.

Their representatives met Rai at his home.

“The odd-even scheme is benefiting us autorickshaw drivers because it means more business for us. We do not want to call a strike at all. The BJP is calling a strike because it wants to favour private cab services. During odd-even, if there are no autos on the roads, commuters will automatically call for the private cabs,” said Kishan Verma, president, All India Auto Taxi Transporters Congress Union.