NewsKarnataka – Bangalore

Bangalore: Autorickshaw drivers in the state capital are on a strike on January 6, Monday to pressurize the government to reduce taxes on auto liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The strike that started at mid-night on Sunday has left the busy city handicapped whereas the auto rickshaw drivers have been adamant with the strike after the government increased the price of LPG from Rs. 54.40 to Rs. 65.53 a litre.

Rudramurthy, the general secretary of the Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union who strongly condemned the price hike, said the Autorickshaw Drivers Union wants the government to roll back the hike in prices.

The call for the strike is given by the United Action Committee of various Auto rickshaw Drivers Unions in Bangalore, including Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers Association and Bangalore Auto and Taxi Drivers’ Association.

Rudramurthy, who is also the convener of the United Action Committee of the Auto rickshaw Drivers Union, however has made it clear  that the auto rickshaw drivers were not seeking a hike in auto fares.

Auto rickshaw fares were revised in Bangalore during the third week of December 2013 with the minimum fare going up from Rs. 20 to Rs. 25 and the fare per kilometer increasing from Rs. 11 to Rs. 13. A strike is also observed in Mysore and other districts of Karnataka.