Delhi autorikshaw unions to join Tuesday stir

Come Tuesday and commuters in New Delhi may face major hassles as the capital’s 55,000 autorikshaws have decided to join in the national strike called by major trade unions.

Autorikshaw union, Rashtravadi Janta Tipahiya Chalak Mahasangh(RJTCM) president Suresh Sharma said the strike was to protest faulty government policies regarding autorikshaw drivers.

“According to Supreme Court orders, 45,000 new autorikshaws were to be issued licenses but the government told us to install Global Positioning System (GPS) before we could get them. We told them we have challenged this directive in court. But even after 90 days, we haven’t got one single vehicle,” Sharma told IANS.

Also, the autorikshaw drivers are required to give education certificates from Class 8 or 10 to get their driver’s badge, something which the unions claim to be unfair.

“Many of the auto drivers haven’t studied up to Class 8. How will they give these certificates?” asked Sharma.

The unions are also calling for the establishment of an autorikshaw board.

Sectors like banking, transport, postal and port operations are likely to take a massive hit due to the strike after the government’s attempts to avert the shut-down remained unsuccessful Monday. Key industries such as steel and power may see a low turnout at factories.