Autodrivers protest over LPG price hike

Autorickshaw strike and transportation blockades by auto-drivers demanding a rollback of hike in auto LPG price brought the city to a standstill on Tuesday.

The strike came following state-owned oil firms' decision to hike auto Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices by Rs 6 per litre. LPG used as fuel in automobiles, now cost Rs 49.72 per litre as against Rs 43.65 per litre price till last month, according to Indian Oil, India's largest fuel retailer.

While thousands of autos in Kolkata went off the roads on several routes protesting the hike, autorickshaw drivers also resorted to vandalism damaging buses and shops at Kankurgachi crossing in north Kolkata and at Rashbehari crossing in the southern part of the city prompting police picketing on the roads throughout the day.

 

About 30 auto-drivers were arrested arrested in connection with the blockades, the police said.

Though situation normalised in most places by evening, auto drivers threatened to continue their protest until there is rollback of price hike.

Officially, the union claims they are pondering on a Re 1 hike in auto fare, the highly unionised three-wheeler operators have already started charging increased fare at will.

Situation worsened as may passengers refused to pay the higher fare as the fare hike has not been endorsed by the state government.

Meanwhile, sensing a possible hike in auto fare, Mamata Banerjee- led government has already started to distance itself from any such decision.

“We are gainst any form of hike. Earlier, they would come and discuss their issues. But this time they chose the militant way. If they go for a fare hike that will be seen as a conspiracy of the Left.” Incidentally, most of the autorikshwas in the city are presently controlled Trinamool affiliated INTTUC.

The auto fare in the city is normally decided by the leading unions, which eventually gets endorsed by the state.

“If there is a petrol or diesel price hike, everyone gets to know. However the revision of auto LPG price is never highlighted. The entire auto-operation is under threat. Drivers can't be faulted if they start charging more,” said, Babul Ghosh, secretary, Citu affiliated autorikshaw union (backed by CPIM).

However, INTTUC termed the strike a “conspiracy” by CPIM and Congress. “There may be grievances, that should be discussed. They can not resort vandalism. I have spoken to State transport Minister Madan Mitra to discuss the issues. The state government has assured us us they will take up the matter (hike in LPG price) with the centre,”said Dola Sen, state president of INTTUC.

According to Sen, Transport Minister will meet the unions and representative of auto drivers to discuss the issues on April 8.