Autorickshaw drivers, who have been demanding that the minimum fare be raised, will intensify their protest if their demands are not met, said president of the Federation of Karnataka Autorickshaw Drivers Union (FKARDU) Sunil Kumar Bajal during a demonstration here on Thursday.
Members of the federation, affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, had previously demanded that the minimum fare be raised to Rs. 16 from Rs. 13.
Mr. Bajal said that there was a need to constitute a welfare board for autorickshaw drivers. This board should be set up on the lines of the one for construction workers, he said.
Leader of the South Kanara Beedi Workers' Federation Sukumar said that the Union Government's decision to de-regulate the price of petrol was a dangerous one. The prices of petroleum products and the cost of spare parts and repairs were going up. The Government's policies were only meant to provide subsidies to oil companies, he alleged.
