Dinesh Kamath's news item 'MNS too joins Sharad Rao, their autos to stay off the roads on Aug 22; Only Thampy Kurien’s union to oppose the strike' that was published in Newsband

MNS too joins Sharad Rao, their autos to stay off the roads on Aug 22

Only Thampy Kurien’s union to oppose the strike

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: Sharad Rao had earlier announced that the members of his auto union would go on strike from August 22 to 24. Now he has been joined by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s auto union which also has decided to make their autos stay off city roads on August 22 but their demand is relating to issuing of permits for the sons-of-the-soil.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Grahak Panchayat has claimed that keeping autos and taxis off the roads is violation of the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) and hence they have appealed to the Bombay High Court. The HC will hear the petition on August 19.

The MNS union leader Haji Arafat Sheikh had decided to make his supporting auto-men go on strike for one day on August 22 just to make the government aware of the plight of the local people. His demanded that the new permits should be allotted only to locals and not to outsiders. The other issues he is fighting for include renewing expired permits, more share autos for the suburbs, more badges for drivers and a crackdown on illegal autos. His main aim is to encourage unemployed Maharashtrian youth to pursue autorickshaw trade.

Sharad Rao refused to be responsible for the inconvenience caused to regular commuters of auto on the day of strike and instead blamed the government who, according to him, was insensitive in the matter of problems faced by auto drivers. He is determined to have all the autos off the roads in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and the rest of state. His union's demands include a fare hike of minimum Rs 25 in Mumbai, new permits only for existing badge holders and not to destroy 16-year-old autos.

The State Transport is trying its best to prevent the auto drivers from supporting the strike call and has ensured police protection for those auto drivers who will cooperate in this matter. It supported the stand taken by Thampy Kurien’s union which has decided to ply autos.