In Mumbai, autorickshaw and taxi drivers protested at the RTO, claiming coercion to pay ₹800 for a welfare board, labeling it extortion.
Autorickshaw and taxi drivers staged a protest outside the Andheri regional transport office (RTO) on Wednesday, alleging that the transport authorities are forcing them to sign up for welfare benefits.
Unions say drivers are unable to complete routine formalities at Mumbai’s four RTOs unless they first cough up ₹800 to sign up with the new welfare board announced recently. Those who refuse to pay up are unable to renew their vehicle fitness certification and vehicle permits. Calling it “extortion”, union leaders say that signing up for welfare benefits must be optional.
Conceding the demand for welfare benefits, the state transport department recently announced the Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Saheb Maharashtra Autorickshaw and Metered Taxi Drivers Welfare Board. To induct licenced drivers, the four RTOs, at Andheri, Wadala, Borivali and Tardeo, began signing them up less than a fortnight ago. But the ₹800 being collected has the drivers crying foul.
“The RTO staff are illegally forcing rickshaw drivers to pay ₹500 as a one-time fee to sign up with the welfare board, and another ₹300 as an annual fee. The RTO staff refuse to allow drivers to complete various formalities unless they pay up. This is sheer extortion,” alleges Shashank Sharad Rao, president, Mumbai Auto Rickshaw Taximen’s Union. “This is happening at most RTOs and, in the last few days, 5,000-odd drivers have succumbed,” he adds.
In Mumbai, autorickshaw and taxi drivers protested at the RTO, claiming coercion to pay ₹800 for a welfare board, labeling it extortion.
Autorickshaw and taxi drivers staged a protest outside the Andheri regional transport office (RTO) on Wednesday, alleging that the transport authorities are forcing them to sign up for welfare benefits.
Unions say drivers are unable to complete routine formalities at Mumbai’s four RTOs unless they first cough up ₹800 to sign up with the new welfare board announced recently. Those who refuse to pay up are unable to renew their vehicle fitness certification and vehicle permits. Calling it “extortion”, union leaders say that signing up for welfare benefits must be optional.
Conceding the demand for welfare benefits, the state transport department recently announced the Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Saheb Maharashtra Autorickshaw and Metered Taxi Drivers Welfare Board. To induct licenced drivers, the four RTOs, at Andheri, Wadala, Borivali and Tardeo, began signing them up less than a fortnight ago. But the ₹800 being collected has the drivers crying foul.
“The RTO staff are illegally forcing rickshaw drivers to pay ₹500 as a one-time fee to sign up with the welfare board, and another ₹300 as an annual fee. The RTO staff refuse to allow drivers to complete various formalities unless they pay up. This is sheer extortion,” alleges Shashank Sharad Rao, president, Mumbai Auto Rickshaw Taximen’s Union. “This is happening at most RTOs and, in the last few days, 5,000-odd drivers have succumbed,” he adds.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/auto-taxi-drivers-protest-forced-welfare-benefits-101775675845058.html