Bengaluru: The Unorganised Auto Drivers’ Association has condemned the government’s decision to ban two-stroke autos in Bengaluru from April 1, 2018, while demanding to postpone the order till April, 2019.
Addressing media persons here, Association President Somashekhar said, “There are around 25,000 two-stroke autos in Bengaluru. The government has declared that they would give subsidy of Rs.30,000 (to purchase 4-stroke autos) only for 10,000 auto drivers. It means, remaining 15,000 auto drivers will come to streets,” he said.
“Since the order of banning these autos, the transport officials are not at all interested in designing a programme for the distribution of subsidy. We are really worried about this. The subsidy distribution process should begin at the earliest,” he demanded. Transport Minister H M Revanna has no concern about auto drivers. The minister spoke irresponsibly during their meeting on December 28, he added.
Working President Javaregowda demanded that the subsidy be increased from Rs.30,000 to Rs.50,000 and offer loan facility to purchase 4-stroke autos through Nationalised banks.
“Auto scrap centres should be cancelled. Auto drivers themselves can return the registration documents of autos to the RTOs and add the autos into scraps without any middlemen being involved,” said General Secretary M. Venkateshgowd.
