Telangana Auto Driver Unions Call Indefinite Strike From August 23
The autorickshaw driver unions Joint Action Committee (JAC) in Hyderabad has announced an indefinite strike across Telangana starting from midnight on August 23. The strike has been called to press the state government to fulfil its commitments made to autorickshaw drivers and private transport workers.
The Bharatiya Private Transport Mazdoor Mahasangh (BPTMM) has extended its support to the strike. Addressing the media, a JAC member stated that the government’s policies have pushed autorickshaw drivers into severe financial distress, leading to around 200 drivers dying by suicide across the state over the past three years.
Auto JAC leader Arla Sathireddy warned that the state government would face serious consequences regarding the increasing number of driver suicides. Sathireddy also appealed to all political parties across the state to extend their support to the planned strike.
BPTMM national general secretary Ravishankar Alluri stated that the indefinite strike would continue until the state government addresses the demands of the drivers. Alluri confirmed that the BPTMM would extend its complete backing to the movement undertaken by the JAC.
Key demands put forward by the JAC include the immediate establishment of a welfare board dedicated to autorickshaw and private transport workers. The committee is also demanding the disbursement of the previously announced annual financial assistance of Rs 12,000 to drivers, along with all pending arrears.
Additionally, the unions have sought the continuation and effective implementation of the Rs 5 lakh accident insurance scheme introduced for autorickshaw drivers by the previous government.
The JAC has also demanded a complete ban on app-based bike taxi services, which it described as illegal, alongside punitive action against the operating companies. The unions urged the government to launch an official transport app instead. Furthermore, the drivers have sought a revision of auto and cab meter fares to reflect rising fuel and commodity prices, as well as the provision of a minimum income for transport workers.
