400 automen take part in Sharad Rao's rally

The Mumbai autorickshawmen’s union’s protest rally on Monday did not cause much convenience to commuters, as autorickshaw services were running as normal. Rather than the automen, it was the rain that gave commuters trouble.

The Mumbai autorickshawmen’s union’s protest rally on Monday did not cause much convenience to commuters, as autorickshaw services were running as normal. Rather than the automen, it was the rain that gave commuters trouble.

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Just 400 auto drivers, including 300 in their three-wheelers, participated in the rally that started from Malad and ended at the Andheri regional transport office (RTO), reported police officials. Nearly 7,000 autorickshaw drivers were expected to participate, Shashank Rao, assistant general secretary of the union, had said on Sunday.

“We are protesting against many issues, such as the corrupt practices in the RTO, especially regarding applications for fitness certification, licences and so on. Besides, we used to have meetings with the RTO every two months, but this has also stopped now,” said Shashank Rao. When contacted, AN Bhalchandra, Andheri regional transport officer, said, “We have agreed to some of their demands, such as holding a meeting every two months. Our first such meeting will take place on September 15. Besides, we have also asked them to take an acknowledgement copy from the official concerned whenever they submit applications for things like fitness certification and licences. This will let us track it if there is a problem with the applications.”

On the other hand, Sharad Rao, president of the union, visited Mumbai police commissioner Dr Satyapal Singh to discuss the highhanded treatment of autorickshaw drivers by police authorities.

The auto union has alleged that traffic police regularly trouble auto drivers, and that the police had also manhandled some union activists at Vanarai police station.