Hyderabad, August 23: Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has appealed to auto drivers, cab drivers and school van drivers to call off their indefinite strike from Sunday midnight.
The minister said the state government remains committed to the welfare of transport workers. He also urged the workers to resolve their concerns through talks instead of a prolonged strike.
Ponnam Prabhakar made the appeal while speaking to the media during his visit to Husnabad. He said the government was ready to discuss the concerns raised by drivers.
The minister noted that auto fares in Telangana have remained unchanged since 2015. However, operating costs have increased during the period.
He said the government would soon form a special committee to examine a possible revision of auto fares. Representatives of auto workers and officials from the Transport Department will be part of the committee.
Ponnam Prabhakar Announces Welfare Measures
Ponnam Prabhakar also said the state Cabinet had decided to establish a welfare board for auto workers. The government will frame rules and regulations for the board soon, he said.
The minister assured auto workers that the government would address their concerns on lines similar to those of RTC employees. He also stressed the need to consider the specific problems faced by drivers in rural areas.
The government plans to ensure that eligible auto workers can access welfare schemes, according to the minister. He said the welfare board would provide an institutional platform to address their issues.
Meanwhile, the minister announced support for drivers who scrap old autos and purchase new electric vehicles. He said the government wants to promote e autos in a phased manner.
The government will also introduce a new scheme for retrofitting petrol and diesel autos, he said. The proposed scheme will focus on converting existing vehicles to green energy systems.
Ponnam urged the protesting workers to cooperate with the government during discussions. He said strikes would not provide a lasting solution to their concerns.
Instead, he said negotiations could help identify practical measures on fares, welfare and vehicle replacement.
The proposed fare review committee is expected to examine the rising costs faced by auto drivers. These costs include fuel, maintenance and other operating expenses.
The minister said the government would continue working towards measures that support transport workers while also considering the interests of passengers.
He reiterated his appeal to auto drivers, cab drivers and school van drivers to withdraw the strike call. He said the government was prepared to engage with their representatives and work towards resolving their concerns.
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