Ponnam Prabhakar urges Telangana auto drivers to call off strike

Hyderabad: Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Sunday, August 23, urged auto drivers to call off the strike, assuring that the government will constitute a committee to assess the fare hike.

Prabhakar said the government would set up a welfare board for auto drivers and provide financial assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh to each driver for switching to electric auto rickshaws. “The government aims to replace existing auto rickshaws with electric autos in Hyderabad in a phased manner,” he said.

“We are aware that the auto rickshaw fares have not been revised since 2012. We will constitute a special committee to examine a fare hike, taking into account the rising prices of petrol, diesel, and vehicles, as well as maintenance costs.”

The committee will comprise a representative of auto drivers, Transport Department officials, and other stakeholders. “The government is determined to solve their issues just as it did with the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) drivers,” he said.

Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Sunday, August 23, urged auto drivers to call off the strike, assuring that the government will constitute a committee to assess the fare hike.Prabhakar said that the Telangana government is planning to set up a welfare board for… pic.twitter.com/BfuOwBEyLC

He announced that the government plans to extend welfare scheme benefits, including ration cards, free electricity, and free bus travel, to the families of eligible auto drivers.

Prabhakar reiterated that strikes do not resolve issues; the government is ready to find solutions through dialogue.

“Auto workers should cooperate in resolving issues through discussions with the government rather than resorting to a strike,” he concluded.

Prabhakar’s appeal comes after the Auto Union Joint Action Committee announced an indefinite strike from August 24, urging the state government to meet its long-pending demands.

The decision was taken by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), insisting upon the immediate establishment of a welfare board for autorickshaw and private transport workers, annual financial assistance of Rs 12,000 and accident insurance of Rs 5 lakh.

The union alleged that the government’s ignorance has pushed several auto drivers to suicide. “The government’s policies have caused us severe financial distress. Around 200 drivers have died by suicide in the state over the past three years,” JAC leader Arla Sathireddy said.

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