Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners across Maharashtra have announced a statewide protest on March 23, alleging “illegal coercion” by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to force them to register with a welfare board. The decision was taken at a meeting held on Sunday.
According to a statement issued by Vilas Bhalekar, General Secretary of the Auto Rickshaw Drivers and Owners Joint Action Committee, RTO officials have been pressuring drivers to enrol in the Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Maharashtra Auto Rickshaw and Meter Taxi Drivers’ Welfare Board. Drivers who do not register are reportedly facing delays in permit renewals, vehicle fitness approvals, and other official processes.
Bhalekar said that although the state government set up the welfare board for drivers’ benefit, there is a lack of clarity about its schemes and advantages. This has left many drivers uncertain and unwilling to join.
He added that a state-level meeting strongly opposed the alleged actions of the authorities. It was decided that on March 23, drivers and owners across Maharashtra will stage protests outside RTO offices and submit memoranda.
The union has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the 500 membership fee and 300 annual fee, an end to forced enrolment, and a halt to the registration of electric auto-rickshaws.
The meeting was chaired by Shashank Rao and attended by representatives of auto-rickshaw unions from across the state.
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