Auto drivers maintain big rally in Ongole demanding 30,000 underneath Vahana Mitra scheme

Members of the All India Road Transport Workers Federation (AIRTWF), supported by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), participated in an enormous autorickshaw rally from the CITU workplace to the Collectorate, in Ongole on Wednesday. They demanded the State authorities to assist the auto drivers who’ve been struggling because of the free bus scheme ‘Stree Shakti’.

Speaking to the media, AIRTWF Prakasam district basic secretary Gantanapalli Srinivasulu mentioned, “The State authorities began the free bus journey scheme for ladies from August 15. We aren’t towards it, however on this context, various employment alternatives needs to be supplied to the auto drivers and ₹30,000 given to every auto driver a yr underneath ‘Vahana Mitra’ scheme.

“Despite having academic {qualifications}, over 10 lakh individuals, both unemployed or with none revenue, have taken loans from personal financiers to purchase autorickshaws and assist their households. They must pay month-to-month instalments, whereas additionally educating their youngsters. The State authorities has put an enormous burden on them with the free bus journey scheme for ladies,” he mentioned.

The AIRTWF chief demanded the State authorities to implement the promise given to auto drivers earlier than the elections and proceed the Vahana Mitra scheme, which was launched by the earlier authorities. He additionally sought to cut back the import and export duties together with VAT imposed on diesel, in addition to gasoline, which had been elevated by the Central and State governments.

Mr. Srinivasulu requested the coalition authorities to withdraw G.O. No. 21 introduced by the YSRCP authorities in 2019, which levies a number of varieties of charges, penalties, and elevated insurance coverage premiums, inflicting severe hardship to the auto drivers. He additional urged to sanction interest-free loans as much as ₹4 lakh via the banks for the acquisition of autos.