The Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP) will challenge the auto strike in the high court on Monday. Shirish Deshpande of the MGP said, "The strike by Sharad Rao's Mumbai Autorickshawmen's Union is uncalled for. The government has done its best to help auto drivers. It has given them an interim fare hike of Re 1 and appointed a trade inquiry committee. What more does Rao want? He cannot intimidate the for even a day."
Deshpande also criticized the transport department for bowing to pressure from Rao three days before the date of the strike. "There is no need to act in haste. Let the new trade inquiry committee be formed (in which consumer activists , too, are stakeholders). The decision on a fare hike should be taken after considering all the parameters," Deshpande said.
He said MGP's petition in the court would be in "general public interest" , demanding action against Rao for causing inconvenience to lakhs of consumers (commuters). "Autos are a necessity in Mumbai's suburbs. We will not tolerate any more inconvenience. These drivers (on strike) need to be taught a lesson," Deshpande said.
Sunil Mone, another consumer rights activist, said he would support any petition that was in public interest. "I think this is the right time for the government to wake up and provide public transport alternatives in the city.
They can ask BEST to start new feeder routes from railway stations and also organize mini-bus circular routes from prominent stations. Unless there is a fear of competition , auto drivers will continue to go on strike."
Deshpande said the MGP will mobilize school buses and private vehicles to mitigate difficulties faced by passengers on Monday. "We welcome the consumer-friendly stand taken by the MNS and Shiv Sena, who are opposing the strike."
Vidya Vaidya, a civic activist from Bandra, said, "How can you expect to give more hikes to auto drivers when the existing service is so poor? Let them first stop refusing passengers, and start behaving properly with women and senior citizens. Let them repair faulty meters. They have no right to go on strike on a whim."
Mumbai Environmental Social Network's Rishi Agarwal said the transport department should have a "proactive mechanism " to determine fares based on all factors apart from fuel costs. "Once the department fixes the fare, there should be no dispute among drivers." |
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SOURCE: The Times of India |
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