Though the recent fare hike has alleviated their financial concerns, autorickshaw drivers said problems of parking spots, scholarships for their children and life insurance coverage still remain.
At the annual meet of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Autorickshaw Chalakara Sangha (ARCS) at Town Hall here on Tuesday, Alphonse D’Souza, president of the association, said the district administration should establish autorickshaw parks with basic amenities in the city.
Out of the 320 points where autorickshaws stand, the district administration had only recognised 140, he said. “None of the autorickshaw stands have lavatory facilities or drinking water facilities. This is a problem for both drivers and passengers,” Mr. D’Souza said, and added that the organisation demanded facilities be developed at 50 autorickshaw parks. Insurance — both as government schemes and from the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) — remains a concern for the autorickshaw drivers. Mr. D’Souza said enrolment into the State government’s accident relief scheme had been stopped due to technical faults at Nemmadi Kendra.
Similarly, though the organisation had more than 1,000 members, only 410 members have insurance from LIC, said Subhash Kavoor, secretary of ARCS. “The government should enrol more drivers under the LIC’s Aam Aadmi Yojana,” he said.
Another major demand presented at the meet was an increase in scholarships given through LIC for the children of autorickshaw drivers. At present, children get Rs. 1,200 per year between class 9 and till the completion of pre-university college as scholarship. “LIC has limited the scholarships to just 15 per cent of the applications received. Until three years, it was 100 per cent,” said Prakash V.N, the general secretary of ARCS.
The association also sought a drive against those illegally plying in the city; regulating those who rent out autorickshaws to drivers for high rent; and supply of uniforms at a concession.
