Close to 2.2 lakh rickshaw drivers in Ahmedabad will stay away from the roads on October 3.
The strike has been called to protest against a host of issues, that includes the multifold rise in fines for traffic and parking violations under the amended Motor Vehicles Act, rise in the prices of fuel and insurance.
The auto-rickshaw drivers feel that the rise in the cost is making the profession unviable. They have also said that while there should be a hike in fines, it should not be unbearable to the extent that it squeezes all the earnings.
They have also demanded that auto-rickshaws should be made an exception as it provides job to the masses and thus the hike in fines should be restricted.
Talking to DNA, Ashok Punjabi, president of Gujarat Auto Rickshaw Drivers Action Committee, an apex body of 14 rickshaw unions in the city, said that under the amended Motor Vehicles Act, the fines have been increased by as high as 10 times. "Drivers cannot afford fines of Rs 15,000. It wipes of their entire earning of a month. The government has to be rational and humane while framing laws and getting them implemented," said Punjabi.
Recently a rickshaw driver in Ahmedabad had consumed phenyl after he was issued a fine of Rs 18,000. Due to this, Punjabi fears that if the government does not undertake course correction, rickshaw drivers will be drawn towards committing suicides. He said that as of now all the sectors of economy are in doldrums and those rendered jobless become rickshaw drivers.
"Under such circumstances if hard steps are taken against the drivers, they will be forced to take extreme steps. The government is trying to ensure discipline by creating an environment of fear," he said.
He alss added that inspite of the fact that there are not adequate stands to park rickshaws in the city, the authorities are levying heavy fines on rickshaws for not parking at the designated places. The government should review its decision and make a course correction," he said.
STRIKE ON OCT 3
- Auto-rickshaw drivers across the city has called for a strike on October 3
- It is a mark of protest against the heavy fines levied on them under the Motor Vehicle Act
- Drivers demand to be exempted as their profession gives jobs to many people
