Auto drivers in Telangana have called off their planned indefinite strike after successful talks with Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar. The strike was set to begin at midnight, but auto unions withdrew their protest after the government responded positively to their demands.

 

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar thanked the auto unions for calling off the strike. He clarified that reports of RTC buying EV autos were false and mere propaganda. The government agreed to set up a Welfare Board for auto workers. A joint meeting between the Labour Department, Transport Department, and auto union representatives will be held on September 1 to finalise the rules for this board.

 

Since auto fares haven’t been revised since 2012, the government agreed to raise fares after studying a proper report, and will issue an official order soon. The government also plans to launch its own app, similar to Ola and Uber.

 

On the promised twelve-thousand-rupee benefit for auto drivers, the Minister said a decision will be taken after discussions with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and cabinet colleagues, considering the state’s financial situation.

 

The government also announced financial support to convert old diesel and petrol autos into electric autos in Hyderabad’s core area, along with subsidies for buying new autos, to reduce pollution in the city.

 

Transport Commissioner Ilambarthi, Additional Transport Commissioner Ramesh, and JTCs Chandrashekar Goud, Shiva Lingaiah, and Venkata Ramana were part of the talks with the auto unions.