Hyderabad, June 21: Auto drivers in the city are back with a bag full of demands threatening to organise demonstration at the office of Transport Commissioner in Transport Bhavan at Khairatabad on June 23. This time they are demanding for a hike in the minimum auto fare from the existing Rs 12 to Rs 20. They also want the officials to increase the auto fares from Rs 7 per km to Rs 9 per km as the fares were fixed about two years ago.
At the executive meeting of Telangana Auto Drivers Joint Action Committee held here today, the auto drivers of twin cities unanimously decided to launch a demonstration protesting against the technical glitches in the zonal offices of Road Transport Authority immediately.
The JAC convener Mohd Amanullah Khan said the Transport department boasts of online service but the authorities were not bothered to have a backup facility in case of technical snags which were causing problems to vehicle owners including auto drivers.
The JAC also passed a resolution urging the Government to stop issuing permits for autorickshaws in Hyderabad but allow plying of autos registered in Ranga Reddy district in Hyderabad city areas. The JAC sought hike in auto fares as prices of essential commodities have almost doubled during the last two years.
The auto drivers appealed to the State government to stop imposing fines and check harassment from private financiers.
———Agencies