Telangana Auto Drivers Joint Action Committee (TADJAC) convener M. Amanullah Khan called for Auto Bandh under GHMC limits on January 30 in protest against “bogus e-challan system and for demanding spot challan system.
Addressing the media here on Sunday, Amanullah Khan alleged that the TRS government after exempting autos from MV Tax of Rs 450 per year, has started collecting huge sums from the auto drivers forcibly in the name of e-challan system. The Traffic constables were taking photos when the auto drivers stop their vehicles on the road for a while for collecting fares from the commuters and taking new ones and imposing huge fines. He said the Traffic police personnel were indulging in misuse of powers while registering e-challan cases. Under the circumstances, the auto drivers are left with no other alternative than to launch an agitation demanding spot challan system in the place of e-challan system, he added. .
Star Auto Trolley Association (SATA) president M.A Khadhar Pasha said auto drivers would contest in the GHMC elections as Independent candidates. He warned the State government that after completion of GHMC elections, they would put pressure on the government to implement spot challan system on auto drivers. He also criticized the TS government for waiving Rs 500 M.V Tax on auto drivers and collecting thousands of rupees in the name of e-challans and huge penalties. The TRS government has failed to curb pollution, traffic problems in the city and soaring prices of essential commodities.
Khadhar Pasha urged the government to implement free third party insurance to auto drivers. Charging that the Traffic Department has turned into Revenue Department, he asked as to why the Traffic Police were not registering cases against RTC buses for over loading.
Union leaders J. Ravinder, K. Lakshmi Narasaiah, Faruq Bhai, Qader Pasha, Mohd. Azeemuddin and others were present. (NSS)