Burari fitness checks stalled, auto drivers warn of hunger strike
New Delhi: Resentment has grown among drivers after manual fitness checks for autos and taxis did not begin at Delhi’s Burari Vehicle Inspection Centre. Despite the Transport Commissioner’s directions, the checks could not be restored from November 11. In protest, the All Delhi Auto Taxi Transport Congress Union has warned that it will begin an indefinite hunger strike outside the Chief Minister’s residence from November 20.
According to union president Kishan Verma, the Transport Commissioner’s office had assured that manual checks would begin from November 11. After this, a large number of drivers reached the Burari centre on Wednesday morning, but the process could not start because officials were absent and slots were not available on the online portal. The union claims that thousands of drivers have been facing financial losses because fitness checks have remained shut since October 27.
The union has set a deadline of November 15 for the government to take a firm decision on its demands. These include streamlining the fitness check system, increasing auto-taxi fares and setting up a welfare board for drivers.
The union has also objected to Delhi’s e-auto policy, which is to come into effect from January 1 next year. The organisation has demanded that drivers be given the freedom to choose between CNG and electric autos.
The union has warned that if no solution is found on its demands by November 15, an indefinite hunger strike will begin at the Chief Minister’s residence from November 20. However, information has also emerged that directions have been issued to restore manual fitness checks from November 11. The union says that even if the checks begin, a resolution of its other demands is necessary.
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