Hyderabad: Aggrieved over outdated rates and rising costs, leaders of the Telangana State Auto Drivers Unions Joint Action Committee (JAC) met transport commissioner K Ilambarthi at his office on Thursday and submitted a detailed representation seeking immediate relief.Joint transport commissioner Shiva Lingam said the govt was prepared to address the legitimate demands of auto drivers. He stated that a review meeting would be held after 15 days and promised union leaders to examine all issues raised in the memorandum. JAC leader A Sathireddy said the current fare structure has become unrealistic in the face of soaring fuel prices, maintenance expenses, insurance premiums and daily living costs. They demanded that the minimum fare be increased to 30, with 20 per kilometre thereafter, and also called for a night allowance from 10 pm to 5 am. Another key demand was the immediate creation of a Telangana Auto Drivers Welfare Board to provide social security and long-term support to lakhs of drivers across the state. The unions said such a board should cover pensions, accidental insurance, health assistance, education support for children and welfare benefits for families of deceased drivers.The memorandum also sought official recognition of auto driving as a profession and requested the govt to issue identity cards and welfare benefits to licensed drivers. The JAC further demanded that parking facilities and dedicated auto stands be created at railway stations, metro stations, bus depots, hospitals, markets and major commercial areas. Another important issue raised was the need for strict regulation of private app-based aggregators and illegal transport vehicles, which unions claim are hurting the earnings of traditional auto drivers.
