Telangana auto-rickshaw drivers on strike from Sunday midnight

Auto-rickshaw drivers across Telangana announced a strike from Sunday midnight, demanding implementation of welfare promises made by the Congress government. Unions sought a welfare board, annual assistance and insurance cover while planning a protest march in Hyderabad on Monday

Hyderabad: Auto-rickshaw drivers across Telangana will go on strike from Sundy midnight, demanding implementation of welfare promises made by the ruling Congress, ahead of the last Assembly elections. Thousands of drivers would take out a protest march from Sundarayya Vignana Kendram to RTC Cross Roads on Monday. He also called for burning effigies of the government at district headquarters.

Speaking to the media after a meeting of various auto workers’ unions at Telangana Bhavan on Sunday, Auto Workers JAC chairman and BRTU Auto Workers union president Vemula Maraiah said the Congress government failed to fulfil any of its promises to auto drivers in nearly three years in power, including setting up a welfare board and providing Rs 12,000 annually. He said the Rs 5 lakh accident insurance provided under the previous BRS government had also been discontinued.

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Claiming that Telangana has around 25 lakh auto drivers, he demanded comprehensive welfare measures and a dedicated government online app to support them. He urged drivers to participate in the strike and not to fall for misleading false propaganda of certain unions. He also appealed to the public to cooperate.