Call for auto-rickshaw bandh on Feb. 28

Auto-rickshaw drivers take out a rally drumming up support to their proposed strike

Vijayadurga Auto Drivers' Welfare Association, affiliated to Andhra Pradesh Auto Drivers and Workers' Federation took out a rally through the main thoroughfares of the city here on Monday to drum up support for the country-wide strike of auto-rickshaw drivers on February 28.

Later, the federation State president G. Vamana Murthy, addressing auto drivers, said the Central and State governments were making auto operations difficult by abnormally hiking petrol and diesel prices and the police and RTA authorities were filing cases indiscriminately on flimsy grounds.

Dig at government

By imposing heavy penalties on autorickshaw drivers, the government was hitting hard on their financial front, he said, and called upon all drivers and owners to stall operations of all auto-rickshaws.

Mr. Murthy asked the government to bring a legislation covering all aspects of their welfare and introduce a free comprehensive insurance policy.

He also sought scrapping of the government orders Number 108, 155, and 213.

The orders were against the interests of auto-rickshaw drivers, he said.

City Auto Drivers' Union general secretary and federation State executive member Padala Govind also spoke.