Overview
- Autorickshaw unions launched an indefinite strike from midnight and say it will continue until the state government meets their demands.
- Their demands include creation of a welfare board, payment of an announced annual assistance of Rs 12,000 with arrears, implementation of a Rs 5 lakh accident insurance scheme, a ban on app-based bike services plus a government-run app, meter-rate hikes, and a guaranteed minimum income.
- The Bharatiya Private Transport Mazdoor Mahasangh has publicly pledged full support and said it will sustain the action until the unions’ demands are addressed.
- Telangana’s transport minister urged drivers to withdraw the strike and said the cabinet has approved steps to set up a welfare board, form a committee to review fares, and offer up to Rs 1.5 lakh per vehicle for retrofitting or switching to electric autos.
- Unions say financial distress has driven the action and cite about 200 driver suicides over three years—a figure not independently verified—and the strike could disrupt city transport and raise political pressure on the government to negotiate.