Sena (UBT) says bike taxis hurting auto drivers

Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has written to state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik, seeking an appointment so that the minister could meet representatives of auto drivers, who could brief him on their challenges

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena (UBT) is opposing the state government’s decision to allow bike taxi services through aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido, saying it is compromising the livelihood of lakhs of rickshaw drivers across the state.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) is opposing the state government’s decision to allow bike taxi services through aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido, saying it is compromising the livelihood of lakhs of rickshaw drivers across the state.

Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has written to state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik, seeking an appointment so that the minister could meet representatives of auto drivers, who could brief him on their challenges. Sarnaik said he is prepared to meet Raut at his newspaper office or at his residence in Bhandup, if the Sena (UBT) leader could spare the time.

Raut, who is the editor of party mouthpiece Saamana, said many young men depend on autorickshaws to support their families. He said auto drivers, including many educated youth, work day and night due to the lack of other employment opportunities.

“The government’s decision could push Marathi unemployed rickshaw drivers into greater financial distress,” Raut said in his letter. He said autorickshaw organisations had sought a meeting with the Sarnaik but their request was allegedly rejected. He also claimed permission for a protest march from Nashik to Mantralaya on August 10 had been denied.

Stopping short of taking names, Raut went on to allege that Rapido has business dealings with “some ministers” in the state, accepting sponsorships for Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav celebrations and other cultural programmes organised by some ministers.

Sarnaik denied receiving any letter from Raut. He said the Sena (UBT) leader does not need an appointment to meet him. If he could spare the time, Sarnaik said, he is prepared to meet him at his newspaper office or residence in Bhandup.

“The bike taxi decision is a year old. Why is Raut raising it now? Instead of supporting us on making Marathi mandatory for auto-taxi drivers, Raut is diverting the subject,” he alleged.