Auto drivers demand housing and other facilities in state budget

The Samyukta Karnataka Auto Drivers and Owners Welfare Association has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to provide them housing, annual financial assistance and other facilities in the coming state budget.

The representatives of the Association, who set out on Thursday on a padayatra from Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple in front of Mysuru Palace to Bengaluru, are planning to submit a memorandum containing a list of their pre-Budget demands to Mr. Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru.

The Association has urged Mr. Siddaramaiah to regulate the number of autorickshaws in the City by temporarily halting the process of issuing new permits.

“Due to the increasing number of vehicles in Mysuru city, traffic congestion and lack of proper parking arrangements, the public has been inconvenienced. The growing number of autorickshaws, with new ones being added daily, is worsening the situation. Therefore, we request a temporary halt on issuing new autorickshaw permits”, the memorandum said.

Housing

The Association said the autorickshaw drivers are finding it extremely difficult to pay house rents ranging from ₹6,000 to ₹8,000 per month. 

“Hence, under a group housing scheme, we request that houses be allotted free of cost for 20 years. The beneficiaries should not sell, lease, or rent these houses during this period, after which the houses may be returned to the government. We request such a housing scheme for auto drivers”, the Association said.

Referring to the annual financial assistance of ₹15,000 reportedly given to autorickshaw drivers in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, the Association urged Mr. Siddaramaiah to implement such a welfare scheme even in Karnataka.

The Association has sought compassionate support to the dependent family members of the auto drivers when they become incapacitated due to illness.

Unorganised drivers’ welfare authority

The Association has urged the Chief Minister to establish a dedicated authority for the welfare and economic development of unorganised drivers and others involved in allied work.

Referring to the directions issued by the Department of Legal Metrology to replace the existing auto meters with new ones calibrated to the revised fares of minimum ₹36 and ₹18 per km, the Association said the new meter costs around ₹2,500, which is an economic burden on the auto drivers.

Hence, the Association urged the Government to provide these meters free of cost.

The Association has also complained about the failure of the Transport Department to issue Fitness Certificates (FC) for the last three to four months in Mysuru.