Delhiites face inconvenience due to autorickshaw strike

New Delhi: Commuters in some areas in the city on Friday faced inconvenience as a number of autorickshaw unions went on a strike demanding hike in fares. Though several prominent unions went on strike several, others did not join it following an assurance by Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami that their demands would be considered by the government.

Goswami said the Transport Department would continue deliberations with the autorickshaw unions in the coming days. He said following talks yesterday, 20 unions decided to abstain from the strike. Today, Bharatiya Tipahia Chalak Sangh and a number of other unions called on Goswami and expressed their willingness to continue the talks. Meanwhile Goswami welcomed the decision of the Centre to include auto drivers under the ambit of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana. He said the provision in the Union Budget would enable auto drivers to quality health services. The provision will enable the auto rickshaw drivers to get avail treatment costing up to Rs 30,000 per year in well- established nursing homes against payment of annual fee of Rs 30. PTI