1 week ago
Telangana Auto Unions Call Off Strike After Government Assurances
Autorickshaw unions in Telangana planned to stop working for an unlimited time.
They canceled the strike after the government promised to discuss their concerns.
A meeting will be held on September 1, although one report describes it as the first week of September.
The government said autorickshaw fares could be increased after studying the issue.
It also plans to create an app that helps people book autos.
Officials will consider requiring passenger vehicles, including some bike taxis, to have commercial registration and yellow number plates.
The government agreed to work on a welfare board for auto workers.
It has not yet decided on the promised ₹12,000 payment, but it announced ₹1.50 lakh assistance for converting some older autos to electric vehicles.
Autorickshaw and transport unions withdrew their proposed indefinite strike late Sunday, hours before it was due to begin.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the government would address the unions’ demands in talks scheduled for September 1 or the first week of September.
The government agreed in principle to revise autorickshaw fares, which have not increased since 2012, after obtaining a report on the proposed hike.
Authorities will develop a government-backed app for auto services and consider restricting passenger transport to commercially registered, yellow-plated vehicles.
The government will examine a welfare board and the promised ₹12,000 assistance, while offering ₹1.50 lakh to retrofit eligible autos in Hyderabad’s core area.
- Who
- Autorickshaw and transport unions, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, and Telangana government transport and labour officials.
- What
- The unions called off a proposed indefinite strike after the government gave positive responses and assurances on several demands.
- Where
- Telangana, with discussions involving the state transport and labour departments; the electric-auto retrofit assistance applies within Hyderabad’s core area.
- When
- The strike was withdrawn late Sunday, shortly before it was scheduled to begin; follow-up talks are planned for September 1 or the first week of September.
- Why
- The government agreed to consider fare revisions, a welfare board, a government-backed booking app, vehicle-registration rules, and other worker-related demands.
Auto Workers’ Priorities
Government Response
Financial assistance
Auto Workers’ Priorities
Auto workers sought the promised ₹12,000 assistance announced during the last elections.
Government Response
The government said it must consult the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Cabinet while considering the state’s financial position.
Passenger transport rules
Auto Workers’ Priorities
The unions sought action on competition from app-based passenger services, including bike taxis.
Government Response
The government said passenger transport would be considered only for vehicles meeting prescribed requirements, including commercial registration or yellow plates.
Auto-sector support
Auto Workers’ Priorities
The unions sought fare relief and broader welfare measures for auto workers.
Government Response
The government agreed in principle to examine a fare hike, proposed a welfare board, and announced assistance for converting some older autos to electric vehicles.
Key facts
- Strike status
- Called off late Sunday, hours before it was due to begin
- Follow-up talks
- Scheduled for September 1; another account describes the timing as the first week of September
- Fare revision
- Agreed in principle; autorickshaw fares have not increased since 2012
- Government app
- A government-backed auto-services app similar to Ola and Uber will be developed through the IT Department
- Vehicle rules
- Passenger transport may be restricted to vehicles meeting prescribed requirements, including yellow number plates or commercial registration
- Worker assistance
- The promised ₹12,000 payment remains undecided pending consultations and consideration of Telangana’s financial position
- Electric-auto support
- ₹1.50 lakh assistance was announced for retrofitting old diesel and petrol autos within Hyderabad’s core area
Sources
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