Auto Bandh On April 13 Demanding Ban On Uber, Ola

The Telangana Auto Drivers Union JAC meeting held on Thursday evening unanimously decided to organize a one-day "auto bandh" and a massive rally on April 13 to protest against Uber and Ola cabs. The Union demanded that the government proscribe these cabs which collect fares from commuters lower than those of autorickshaws.

The other demands include the Chief Minister fulfilling his promise made to the auto drivers at the time of the 2014 Assembly elections that latter be issued driving licenses without the 8th class pass condition, spot challans being issued instead of following the "bogus" e-challans system, the traffic police not seizing autos without proper reason and the government setting up an Auto Drivers Welfare Board.

Mohd Amanullah Khan (TADJAC), B Venkatesham (AITUC), V Kiran (IFTU), P Lakshmaiah (CITU), M A Saleem (Auto Owners Association), A Satti Reddy (TADS), Haveeb Ali (BMS) and the other leaders of the JAC, in a joint press statement, alleged that cab aggregators including Uber and Ola were conspiring against all the auto rickshaws in the city and taking over their business.

They demanded a clarification from the Transport Department on who had fixed the fares for Ola Micro Cabs at Rs 6 per km. They also said as per Sec 67 of the M V Act, only the Transport Department was authorized to fix the fares of public service vehicles like autos and taxis, and ensure that the vehicles do not indulge in uneconomic competition.

The leaders of the JAC also stated that companies like Uber and Ola were running a parallel government by fixing their fares illegally, and that there was no one to question them.

They also demanded that the government put a ban on the diesel-run Uber and Ola cabs plying illegally on the city roads.