Autos oppose rate cut, threaten to strike work

Chennai: Autorickshaw operators are up in arms against a downward revision of tariff though the state government has not pushed for rate cut in the immediate future. Taking strong exception to the submission made by the state government in the Madras high court, operators have threatened to go on strike if the government reduced the fare even by the meager Rs 1 per kilometer it had calculated taking in to account the recent fall in fuel price.

Talking to Deccan Chronicle, J. Seshasayanam, general secretary of CPI (M) backed Madras Meter Auto Drivers Association, which has the support of other major unions, including the DMK backed LPF and AIADMK’s ATP (Anna Thozhisanga Peravai), on the issue and squarely blamed the government for the tariff-fixing imbroglio.

“It was we who had originally proposed periodical review of the tariff based on the variation in fuel price in consultation with the stakeholders, but the state government had not convened the tripartite meeting thus far,” said Seshasayanam, wondering, “Who is to blame? Why is the government reluctant to have a mechanism in place to assess the tariff hike and reduction based on the fuel price variation?”

“We have to wait till the January 5 hearing as the matter is sub-judice. If the enforcement agencies slap fine before that we will strike work,” he cautioned. Pertinently, auto operators’ fears may prove to be unfounded as the state government considers the recent price reduction too little to warrant a rate cut.

 

 

Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.