Hyderabad: The Telangana government on Monday moved to address key demands of Telangana auto workers, including a welfare board and revision of auto-rickshaw fares. It also proposed a government-run mobile application for drivers.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and Labour Minister Gaddam Vivek Venkataswamy discussed the issues with representatives of various auto workers’ unions at the Secretariat.
The union representatives raised several concerns affecting the welfare and livelihoods of auto-rickshaw drivers and other workers. The ministers and senior officials held detailed discussions on the demands. Moreover, they reviewed action taken on issues raised during their previous meeting with the unions on August 23.
Telangana auto workers welfare board gets priority
Ponnam said the government would give priority to establishing a welfare board for Telangana auto workers. The Transport Department would coordinate with the Labour Department on the proposal. The government would first discuss the proposal in the Cabinet. Subsequently, it would take steps to place the matter before the Legislative Assembly, the minister said.
Ponnam also rejected reports about plans involving electric autos and a last-mile connectivity policy. He said there was no truth in reports that the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation planned to introduce electric autos. Similarly, he denied that the government was considering a last-mile connectivity policy. The minister clarified that no such policy was under consideration.
Telangana auto workers may get fare revision
Ponnam said auto-rickshaw fares had not been revised since 2012. Therefore, he indicated that the government was prepared to consider an increase in fares based on prevailing conditions.
A committee comprising Transport Department officials and representatives of auto workers’ unions would examine the issue. The panel would assess the extent of the fare revision required. It would then submit comprehensive recommendations to the government.
Based on the committee’s recommendations, the government would implement revised auto-rickshaw fares shortly, Ponnam said. The proposed mechanism would allow both officials and union representatives to participate in determining the required revision.
Telangana auto workers may get government-run app
The Transport Minister also outlined plans for a dedicated government-run mobile application to benefit auto-rickshaw drivers. Ponnam said a letter had already been sent to the IT Minister regarding the proposal. The proposed application would operate on the lines of Ola, Uber and Rapido.
The government would take the necessary steps to develop and launch the application, he said. The ministers reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving problems faced by auto-rickshaw drivers and workers across Telangana. The discussions covered welfare measures, fares and technology-based support for Telangana auto workers.