Chandigarh Auto Drivers approached Pawan Bansal, Expressed Concerns about Livelihood
Chandigarh, Auto-rickshaw drivers in Chandigarh sought assurance and assistance from Pawan Bansal, expressing their plight due to the administration’s negligence. In Chandigarh, the price of one kilogram of compressed natural gas (CNG) has surpassed that of diesel and is continually increasing. However, there has been no improvement in fares ; drivers are still paying the same rates as before. As a result, auto-rickshaw drivers are facing the risk of losing their livelihoods.
Auto drivers met with former Central Minister and senior Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal to discuss their issues. They conveyed their concerns, mentioning the lack of designated parking spaces for them across the city and the absence of permission to stop on roads. The police issue fines for stopping anywhere. Despite administration incentives for introducing electric autos in the city, the drivers claimed no one is interested in their proposals. The battery replacement for electric autos takes several hours of waiting during the day, incurring costs of ₹600-700, while the daily earnings range between ₹800-1000. In such a scenario, sustaining their households becomes challenging.
The parking fee at the railway station, which was previously ₹500, has now increased to ₹1200 due to the contract being awarded to a private company. As a result, drivers waiting outside the station face difficulties finding passengers.
Auto-rickshaw drivers accused the Chandigarh administration and police of discrimination. They pointed out that the CNG auto-rickshaw, considered a commercial vehicle, is issued a license as a Light Motor Vehicle (LMV), whereas it should be issued a license as a Light Transport Vehicle (LTV). Such licenses are not recognized by traffic police, and insurance claims are not applicable. The drivers claimed that the Chandigarh administration is running government and private commercial vehicles on diesel and, through biased policies, is forcing auto-rickshaw drivers into debt by giving LPG autos to Uber-Ola diesel taxis, creating a crisis in their livelihoods.
Upon hearing the difficulties faced by auto-rickshaw drivers, Pawan Bansal assured them that the Congress party would raise its voice for their legitimate demands. He promised that when their government comes into power in the future, policies would be formulated to address their issues. H S Lucky was present on the occasion too.