Auto, taxi unions threaten to go on two-day strike

The autorickshaw and taxi unions have threatened to go on a two-day strike from January 5 in favour of their charter of demands, including removal of GPS and toll tax on private taxis.
Alleging that GPS in auto-rickshaws have failed to serve any purpose, auto unions said that the device should be removed from all autos plying in the national capital.
"Installation of GPS in autorickshaws has failed to serve its purpose. In the name of GPS, we are being harassed by the government. Auto-rickshaw drivers are forced to pay the annual maintenance fee and SIM renewal every year, which is unfair," Rajendra Soni, general secretary of Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh, said.

Soni, who is also general secretary of Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union, said that taxis (Kali-Pili) are also forced by the government to pay toll tax to the municipal corporations at city's borders despite the fact that they have NCR Permit.
At present, there are around 80,000 autorickshaws and 12,000 taxis (kali-pili) plying in the national capital and Soni claimed to have a control over most of these autos and taxis in the national capital.
"For years, we have been demanding to remove toll tax on kali-pili taxis, but we are not being heard. Besides, around Rs 20-25 lakh of auto drivers, which is pending with Traffic Police (prepaid booths), remains unused.

"We want that this fund immediately be released and spent on the welfare scheme for auto drivers," he said.
He also said that if government fails to address our demands, all city's autorickshaws and 'kali-pili' taxis will go off the roads on January 5-6.