Three-day strike by transporters, taxis and autos in Delhi-NCR begins today
The unions wrote to the government that the taxi fares in Delhi-NCR have remained the same for nearly 15 years despite a sharp rise in fuel prices, including CNG, petrol, and diesel.
According to the letter, the taxi fares in Delhi-NCR have remained the same for nearly 15 years despite a sharp rise in fuel prices, including CNG, petrol, and diesel. The ‘three-day’ strike called by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) began Thursday over concerns about soaring fuel prices, increase in Environment Compensation Cess (ECC) on all Delhi-bound goods vehicles among other issues.
AIMTC and other unions associated with it staged protests at Delhi-NCR borders of Ghazipur, Tikri, Singhu.
“Our strike will continue; truckers and transporters have stopped their vehicles on the border and they will not enter Delhi-NCR for three days till May 23,” said Kultaran Singh Atwal, former president of the AIMTC.
Some commercial vehicle drivers in Delhi-NCR are also part of the strike; their demands include an immediate hike in auto and taxi fares amid alleged economic exploitation by app-based cab aggregators.
On the first day of the strike, people at the busy junctions of the national capital, such as railway stations, faced difficulties where the auto stands wore a deserted look.
Why the strike?
The “Chalak Shakti Union”, in a letter to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, Transport Minister, and Police Commissioner, wrote that the strike is in support of a nation-wide stir announced by the AIMTC.
According to the letter, the taxi fares in Delhi-NCR have remained the same for nearly 15 years despite a sharp rise in fuel prices, including CNG, petrol, and diesel. The increased costs of maintenance, insurance, fitness certificates, permits, and other daily essentials are added to it.
“Taxi fares are still being charged at old rates despite rising inflation, which has severely affected the livelihood of drivers,” the letter said. “App-based companies like Ola, Uber and Rapido are operating arbitrarily, and drivers in Delhi-NCR are becoming victims of serious economic exploitation,” the union alleged.
What has the union warned?
The union has warned that if the fares are not revised at the earliest by the government, the protest could intensify into a larger movement. The union has also demanded a meeting with the government to discuss drivers’ issues and formulate policies to prevent the alleged economic exploitation of taxi drivers.
Are all auto and taxi drivers part of this strike?
However, a section of the auto unions have distanced itself from the strike.
Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transport Association president Sanjay Samrat said, “The union believes that the country is currently facing serious challenges due to rising international oil and gas prices. At such a time, it is important to support the nation rather than inconvenience the general public through strikes.”
He said, after discussing with members, the association has decided that it will not participate in the proposed three-day strike in any manner.
Samrat stated that the association has always democratically opposed the problems faced by the taxi and tourist transport sector and certain incorrect government policies, and will continue to do so in the future as well.
“However, the present situation is not appropriate for a strike. The orders to phase out diesel BS-4 trucks and buses were issued last year, but at that time no truck unions organised any protest or road blockade.”
He also stated that when CNG buses operated by transporters were removed from schools and replaced with electric buses, it was their association that raised objections and protested against the move.
He also said that whenever CNG and fuel prices increased, truck unions did not support the issues faced by taxi and tourist vehicle operators. “Therefore, the Association has decided to stay away from this agitation.”
The auto-rickshaw union also said transporters and truckers have different issues. “Our auto and taxi services will continue to operate as usual at all railway stations, bus terminals and other locations,” Rajendra Soni, General Secretary, Auto Rickshaw Sangh, said in a statement.
He further said that some taxi unions like Chaalak Shakti have extended their support to AIMTC but five auto-taxi unions — including Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union, Auto Drivers Welfare Sangh Delhi, Pragatisheel Autorickshaw Drivers Union and National Capital Region Auto Taxi Transport Union — have decided to not participate.
Fuel prices hiked twice in less than a week
The petrol and diesel prices were hiked twice in less than a week — a 90 paise per litre increase in the latest revision on Tuesday. After this, the petrol price in Delhi stood at Rs 98.64 per litre, up from Rs 97.77 per litre. Diesel cost Rs 91.58 a litre against a previous price of Rs 90.67, reported PTI.
Among major cities, Kolkata recorded the highest petrol price at Rs 109.70 per litre, and Chennai reported the highest diesel price at Rs 96.11 per litre.
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