Autos stick to stand,go off roads

Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely met with autorickshaw unions on Thursday to resolve the stalemate over installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices in the three-wheelers as part of the government’s auto-on-demand project. Though the government had set May 20 as the deadline for starting installation of GPS devices,autorickshaw unions refused to pay for the project.

During the talks,Lovely told the unions that the deadline would now be postponed to June 1,and instead of having to pay Rs 7,500 at one go,they could now pay it in instalments of Rs 625 per month for a year. The cost of the device was estimated at Rs 15,000,but was later slashed to Rs 7,500 after negotiations.

However,autorickshaw unions said they will not concede to the government’s decision to impose the cost of the device on autorickshaw drivers. Rajinder Soni,general secretary,Delhi Autorickshaw Manch and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union,told Newsline,“The government has not conceded to our demands,and we will continue with our agitation. They could at least offer a subsidy,but having to pay in instalments instead of a single down payment is no concession at all. Autorickshaws will stay off the roads from Thursday night,till the government decides to reconsider its decision.”

Autorickshaw unions also

have other issues on their agenda,including the institution of a welfare board for autorickshaw drivers,pension and healthcare schemes. The strike will also mark their protest against the imposition of toll tax.