Pointing out that the steep hike has come at a time when practically all sections of society are reeling under the price burden, he says that among the worst-hit are the autorickshaw drivers.

“Owing to the price rise my five-member family, including a handicapped child has already made several sacrifices”, he says that now “we will have to learn to do without many more things”.

The prices of vegetables are more or less uniformly high both in the Uzhavar Sandhai and the Municipal Market. However, both quality and quantity wise they are not up to the expectations of the consumers. Hence, “I go to the pavement vendors whose prices are comparatively lower”.

Stating that he did not have the wherewithal to augment his income, he points out that until a few years ago he was also a dairy farmer.

However, space constraints and lack of grazing grounds had force him to dispose his cow. Now, he has to make do with half a litre of milk a day.

Pointing out that the plight of many of auto drivers numbering about 1,000 in this hill station was no different than his, Mr. Ambrose laments that though the hike in fuel prices has increased their cost of operation, they are not in a position to demand more from their passengers.

“I am also against fleecing since the passengers also are facing financial problems like us”, he declared.

Further, many of the people who used to hire autorickshaws regularly are not doing so now on account of the inflation. They feel that the money thus saved can be used for household expenses. “This growing tendency is having a telling effect on our revenue”, he regrets.

Under the circumstances, “putting away something for a rainy day is almost impossible for me and my kind”, he adds.

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