Koppula Eshwar criticises Congress govt’s apathy towards gig workers, auto-rickshaw drivers

ACB officials arrested Jagtial District Transport Officer Banothu Badru Naik for accepting a bribe of Rs. 22,000 from a JCB owner. He had earlier demanded Rs. 40,000 for releasing a seized vehicle and two phones. His retirement was due this month

Hyderabad: Former Minister and BRS leader Koppula Eshwar criticised the Congress government for its apathy towards the welfare of gig workers, auto drivers, and journalists. Citing the discontinuation of accident insurance coverage for over 13.5 lakh people, he said the government failed to pay the premium and left lives of employees across organised and unorganised sectors in jeopardy.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, Eeshwar said the scheme initiated by the previous BRS government, was on the verge of collapse, and the government has remained a mute spectator. He said the Congress government was more focused on political vendetta, targeting BRS leaders than addressing real issues impacting people’s lives.

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Calling for immediate action, the former Minister demanded that Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar intervene and ensure the restoration of insurance coverage. “Auto drivers and journalists are both covered under the scheme, while gig workers also should be extended a similar scheme. Journalists deserve a dedicated accident insurance facility, and a pension policy must be introduced for families in the event of a journalist’s death,” he said.