2 min readNew DelhiMar 15, 2016 03:04 AM IST
First published on: Mar 15, 2016 at 03:04 AM IST
The Delhi government Monday announced that autorickshaw and taxi unions, which were set to go on strike for two days, had called off their strike after a meeting between representatives of these unions and Transport Minister Gopal Rai.
During their meeting, the union leaders raised various grievances, including the financial loss incurred by autorickshaw and taxi permit holders not attached to App-based companies, which offer cheaper fares.
Rai assured the unions that the government will take measures to discourage autorickshaws and taxis from joining ‘unauthorised App-based companies’. He said the transport department will take necessary measures to strengthen the government’s Puchho App to promote App-based business in Delhi.
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The meeting was also attended by officials of the transport department.
Confirming that the strike had been called off, General secretary of the Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union and Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh Rajendra Soni warned that if the government failed to keep its promises, autorickshaw and taxi drivers will go on strike during the second phase of the odd-even scheme, which will begin on April 15.
“We will apologise to the people of Delhi but the families of those driving black and yellow taxis and autorickshaws are being driven to starvation. We cannot let that happen. We will hold the government to its promises and if it fails, we will call a strike during the odd-even scheme,” said Soni.
Another issue raised by the unions was the increase in toll tax — from Rs 65 to Rs 100 — levied by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The hike had put increased financial burden on them, said the union representatives and requested Rai to waive it for taxis registered in Delhi.A similar waiver was given to autorickshaws which had NCR permits, they claimed.
Rai asked the transport department to take up the issue with the MCD to facilitate the waiver sought by the taxi unions.
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