Source : PTI | Drivers of app-based taxis and autorickshaws on Saturday observed a day-long strike in Maharashtra and other parts of the country to draw the government’s attention to various demands, including a ban on “illegal” bike taxis and action against “arbitrary” fare policy.
The protest affected commuters to some extent as most of the cabs and rickshaws linked to aggregator apps remained off roads. State transport minister Pratap Sarnaik warned of taking action against the ride aggregator companies if they behave unfairly with the drivers and indulge in “injustice” against them. He said the govt was ready to support the drivers on their genuine issues.
Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha (MKS), a union that had given the strike call, claimed the protest was “successful” as most of the drivers “spontaneously” participated in the strike in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Aurangabad and other regions in the state. It warned to intensify the agitation if their demands were ignored.
MKS’ head Dr Keshav Kshirsagar said that the strike began across Maharashtra and other parts of the country in the morning.
“Seventy to eighty per cent app-based taxis and autorickshaws stayed off the roads, affecting passenger services in the state and significant reduction in traffic snarls on the roads as well,” the union said in its statement.
The strike was aimed at opposing the “arbitrary” fare policies of ride aggregators, seeking strict enforcement against “illegal” bike taxi operations that were affecting the livelihoods of licensed cab and autorickshaw drivers, it said earlier.
