Auto strike from 6 am to midnight
Bangalore: Around 1.5 lakh autoÂricÂkshaws will go off the road today between 6 am and midnight. Auto drivers are protesting against a proposal to ban autos from the Central BusiÂness District (CBD).
State-owned oil companies increased auto LPG prices from Rs 54.40 to Rs 65.50 per litre. Auto drivers want the state and central governmeÂnts to reduce local taxÂes, including VAT, to reduce the rate.
Auto drivers will also pressure the government to direct the city traffic police and transport departments to scrÂap the proposal to repÂlace autos with taxies in CBD. The other major demands include housing, health scheÂmes and financial assistance to auto drivers to replace their old vehÂÂiÂcles.
The auto unions in the city which are affiliated to various associations have formed a joint action committee to ensure the success of the strike. An office-beaÂrer of the committee said that initially there was no proposal to go on a strike.
“But with most of the association members urging for a strike to pressurise the state and central governments, it was decided to take autos off the road on Monday,” he said.
Somashekhar, prÂeÂÂÂsiÂÂÂdent, Bangalore AuÂto Drivers’ Union, said that the main demÂand of auto drivers is redÂuction in various taxes levied on auto LPG from central and state governments. “On JanÂuary 1, the auto LPG price was incrÂeased by Rs 11 in one go.
We are bleeding now. We cannot demÂand revision of fare as the state government notified new fares on December 28 and further increase in the fare will lead to public protest. We want remedial measures from the state and central governments,” he said.