Telangana government vehicle drivers strike enters second day over rental rates

An indefinite strike launched by owner-cum-drivers of vehicles hired for various government departments entered its second day across Hyderabad and all 33 districts of Telangana. Thousands of drivers attached to different state departments are participating in the peaceful agitation, which has disrupted regular transport services for government officials.

The protesting drivers, represented by the Telangana Four-Wheeler Drivers Association, are demanding an increase in their monthly rental rates from Rs 34,000 to Rs 55,000. Additionally, the drivers are calling for the immediate clearance of their long-pending bills from the state government.

According to the association, thousands of owner-cum-drivers and their families are currently facing severe financial hardship. The association pointed out that the combination of low monthly rental charges and delayed payments has pushed many driver families into distress.

The association has urged the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana to resolve the ongoing issue at the earliest. They have requested the top leadership to initiate a positive dialogue and take immediate action to address their grievances. Representatives noted that they had previously submitted multiple representations to the Transport Minister, Chief Secretary, the Finance Department, and the Transport Department, but no concrete decision has been taken by senior officials so far.

The unrest among government-hired drivers has also triggered solidarity and separate demands from other transport segments in the state. The Telangana App-Based Drivers Forum has issued an ultimatum to the state government and digital platform companies, warning of a potential escalation.

The forum has announced a statewide flash strike scheduled for Wednesday. If their demands are not addressed, the forum plans to launch an indefinite strike starting August 10. This expanded strike is expected to involve cab drivers, autorickshaw drivers, goods transport drivers, and delivery workers associated with major digital platforms, including Ola, Uber, Rapido, Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, and Blinkit.