A year on, family of auto driver still await govt succour
He was killed in a freak road mishap in the city involving RTC bus
Hyderabad: This September 2 will mark the first death anniversary of Mohammed Ghouse Pasha, a 35-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, who died in a freak accident at old MLA Quarters on this tragic day last year. He was killed when a RTC bus lost control and rammed into a tree, which got uprooted and fell on Pasha’s vehicle.
Today his anguished family, whose sole bread-winner he was, is in terrible shape. His father Mohammed Abbas (74), also a former autorickshaw driver, is bedridden with paralysis for the last eight years.
Pasha’s mother Nusrath Begum, a 65-year-old housewife, narrated their tale of sorrow.
“Our son was very hard working. He used to take care of all our needs. Our plight has worsened since his untimely demise. It is a herculean task to even be assured of two square meals a day.”
Married five years before his death, Pasha’s wife and two daughters, who are aged four and three years, are staying in his in-laws place at MS Makhta.
His sister Parveen Begum, who has since joined a private firm, recalled, “My brother was the only bread-winner of the family and his sudden death pushed us into turbulence. I took up a job in a shop. Paying rent, electricity bill, provisions and my parents’ medical bills have led the family to a big financial crisis.”
She added, “When my brother died, several public representatives and leaders came forward and assured financial assistance and a double bed room house. Alas, they were empty promises as things have remained the same for us in the last 11 months.”
The then home minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali gave a letter for extending financial assistance under the apathbandhu benefits while legislator Danam Nagender promised a 2BHK house to the family.
“Neither has materialised till date. We are grateful to some Good Samaritans, who came forward and helped us monetarily when my brother had died,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sathi Reddy from the Telangana Auto Union JAC, said, “For the past so many years, we have been demanding that we should be extended the privilege of general insurance and ESI medical cover. The government should address our issues on a priority basis.”