More than 19,000 auto-rickshaws may go off Indore roads from December 1 if the administration, traffic police and transport department fail to fulfil the auto-rickshaw drivers' long-pending demands.
On Monday, members of Indore Auto-rickshaw Driver Association (IARDA) gave a 20-day ultimatum to the administration to resolve their issues including keeping tab on the traffic police's illegal challan activities, increase in metre fare, increase in number of CNG stations in the city, designation of a place near every mall and hospital, not charging 10% of the total fare at tele auto-rickshaw stands and other places.
"We have decided to go on indefinite strike from December 1 as we are continuously being harassed by the traffic police officials in the name of traffic norms and e-challans," Indore Auto-rickshaw driver association president Rajesh Bidkar said.
Bidkar alleged that traffic cops even made challans for stationary vehicles which is against the law. Even the court can't accept challans without panchamana but now traffic cops have started recovering the challan money from the auto-rickshaw driver's residence.
Criticising the transport department officials, Bidkar demanded probe into the permit scam. He claimed that in February-March, 2014, MP government issued about 1,000 fresh permits but the transport department officials and RTO agents sold off these permits for Rs 25,000 each.
"We want investigation into the matter as many of the needy drivers failed to get permits which is barely for Rs 1,000," Bidkar said.
Members of the association criticised the government's approach in handling their demands. "The government has kept many issues pending without keeping us informed and this is the final ultimatum as drivers are left with no choice but to go on strike if issues are not addressed before December 1."
{{/usCountry}}Members of the association criticised the government's approach in handling their demands. "The government has kept many issues pending without keeping us informed and this is the final ultimatum as drivers are left with no choice but to go on strike if issues are not addressed before December 1."
{{/usCountry}}The demands
Increase fare as compressed natural gas (CNG) rates have increased
Increase number of CNG stations in the city
Designate a place for auto-rickshaw stand near every mall and hospital
Keep tab on the highhandedness of traffic police
Investigate the auto-rickshaw permit scam.
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