Mangalore : Federation of Karnataka Auto-rickshaw Drivers Union (FKARDU) and Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU) demanded an increase in the minimum fare in the wake of rising fuel price in the press meet held at CITU office located at State Bank on August 7, Saturday.
Speaking at the press meet, B V Raghavendra, state convener of FKARDU, said that they would hold violent protest, if the district administration does not meet their demand.
He also said that, over 10,000 auto rickshaw drivers suffering problem and facing loss due to the hike in fuel prices and essential commodities. The recent increase in the petrol prices has affected the daily earnings of auto drivers. Most of the drivers belong to the poor families, but the district administration is neglecting their demands.
The union also demanded the minimum fare for the first 1.5 km to be increased from Rs. 13 to Rs. 16 and the additional fare from Rs. 9 per km to Rs. 11 per km. The waiting and luggage charge should be increased by 15 percent, in order to provide justice.
L T Suvarna, district general secretary of FKARDU and Sunil Kumar Bajal, district president FKARDU were present on the occasion.