Mangalore : A noisy demonstration by members of state Federation of Auto rickshaw Drivers in DK dt, was arranged at the gates of DCO in city on Monday Morning, calling for a proportionate rental hike for a journey, in view of an increase in the prices of Petroleum products recently by Govt of India.

CITU leader Vasanth Acharya addressing the spirited showmen in his union, stated that these auto – rickshaw drivers had a family to look after but they cannot do so at old prevailing rates as all essential Commodities prices have gone up, necessitating the metre rate hike on all auto vehicles. The drivers are serving the society through clients who get a decent friendly service till now.
The DC of the district has to kindly intervene at this crucial juncture to make autodrivers’ lives easy by giving them a better income by raising auto rental fares, the communist leader pointed out.

L.T. Suvarna of Rickshaw Drivers’ union demanded in his speech that the minimum auto travel fare fort the first 1.5 kms should be raised to Rs 16, and for every Km, thereafter it should be increased by Rs. 11. Waiting charges should go up by 15% from the previous rate, and luggage extra charges also should rise by 15% from the existing old rates, he added. The spare parts, tyres, oil consumption, taxes, insurance and traffic wear and tear constantly create losses as they have gone up since 2 years, he said.

Sunil Kumar Bajal mentioned that these days, the district administration is in favour of owners of vehicles. When the bus owners apply for increase in Bus fare rates, the demand is immediately granted. But the auto drivers are still agitating all over the state for a higher fare and decent living. The district officers have to wake up before the demonstrators take a serious view of their problems, and the DCO should revise the auto fares quickly, Bajal pleaded.

A memorandum on the burning issue with several demands included was submitted by CITU leaders and auto rickshaw drivers to the DCO, after the demonstration.