Distressed auto driver sets auto-rickshaw on fire in front of Praja Bhavan

There have been reports since a couple of months suggesting that auto drivers in Telangana are facing financial difficulties due to the introduction of the free bus travel scheme for women by the State government

Hyderabad: An irate auto rickshaw driver protesting against the ‘Mahalakshmi’ free bus travel scheme for women in the State set ablaze his vehicle near Praja Bhavan on Thursday.

The driver Deva, (45) drove to the Praja Bhavan in his auto rickshaw in the evening and set the vehicle on fire and also attempted to set himself ablaze. On noticing it, the traffic police and the security at the Praja Bhavan pulled him and prevented him from setting ablaze. The auto rickshaw, however, was completely gutted down in the incident.

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The auto rickshaw drivers are regularly protesting against the free travel for women in TSRTC buses claiming it was affecting their income. The police and fire personnel later managed to douse the fire. The auto driver, who is a resident of Mahabubnagar was taken into custody by the police.