Harish Rao terms suicides of auto drivers under Congress rule as ‘State murders’

Harish Rao met with representatives of the Patancheru Auto Drivers Association, who expressed concern over mounting debts and shortage of work, primarily due to the free bus services for women.

Hyderabad: Former Minister and senior BRS MLA T Harish Rao said that 142 auto drivers had died by suicide in the past 18 months due to the Congress government’s apathy. He termed these deaths as State murders by the Congress government, which has failed to fulfill its electoral promises like financial assistance.

Harish Rao met with representatives of the Patancheru Auto Drivers Association, who expressed concern over mounting debts and shortage of work, primarily due to the free bus services for women. They stated that due to the Congress government’s unfulfilled promises, they are facing daily challenges to meet their financial targets.

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Speaking on the occasion, the BRS MLA said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy promised Rs. 12,000 annually to each auto worker before the polls, but has since ignored the commitment after coming to power. He noted that many drivers are unable to run their autos and repay bank loans, pushing them into a deep financial crisis. “Due to the government’s inaction, auto drivers are forced to take their own lives,” he remarked.

He reminded that the BRS had raised these concerns even in the State Assembly and demanded that the government immediately pay Rs. 24,000 owed to each worker for the last two years. He also called the government to provide Rs. 10 lakh compensation each to the families of the deceased auto drivers.

In February 2024, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) had announced the ‘Maha Lakshmi Free Bus’ scheme for women and the third gender in the State. All the women who belong to the State, i.e residents of Telangana only, are eligible to avail the services on City Ordinary, Express, Metro Express, Palle Velugu buses.

 

ఆటో కార్మికుల సమస్యలపై బీఆర్‌ఎస్ పార్టీ పోరాటం కొనసాగుతుంది.

– మాజీ మంత్రి, ఎమ్మెల్యే @BRSHarish గారు

మాజీ మంత్రి హరీష్ రావు గారిని పటాన్‌చెరువు ఆటో డ్రైవర్ల సంఘం ప్రతినిధులు శుక్రవారం కలిశారు. ఈ సందర్భంగా వారు మాట్లాడుతూ, “కాంగ్రెస్ ప్రభుత్వం అధికారంలోకి వచ్చిన తర్వాత ఆటో… pic.twitter.com/VsrodFqGSG

— Office of Harish Rao (@HarishRaoOffice) June 27, 2025