The last time they went on strike was because their meters were found faulty and they found it absolutely unfair that they had to correct them. They were angry and offended when told that they could not tamper their meters and cheat the commuters! They genuinely believed that they had a right to do it considering they pay bribes to the Cops and other agencies. Their leader Sharad Rao definitely agrees!
This time around Mr. Rao has reached the office of the Transport Officer with a list of demands that include a fare hike, a ‘public servant’ status to be given to the auto drivers so that they can be entitled to government welfare schemes and pensions and he wants each auto driver to at least take home Rs. 25,000/- a month. If all his demands are not met then they will again go on an indefinite strike from the 9th October’11.
Of course with all sincerity Mr. Rao claims that he has not called the strike. It’s just a co-incidence that he is supporting it! 
Another co-incidence is the silence from all our public loving politicians on the said issue. No one amongst them is presently affected by the manner in which the common man is held ransom by the auto mafia. It goes in murmurs here that Sharad Rao is a member of Sharap Pawars Nationalist Congree Party!! Tsk-Tsk!
So the picture seems clear as of now- Our beloved auto drivers have understood in no uncertain terms that we cannot do without them. They have decided to take us for granted and abuse their privilege. They will be back- on and off. They will ply to areas only where they wish to go and when they wish to go. Meanwhile they will charge us more, become public servants but not pay tax because how can you account for their income?, take home atleast 25 grand a month, continue to create traffic jams and live happily ever after.
No wonder the phrase is “to hail an auto”, may be it comes from “Hail Hitler”!!!
P.S.: As for me, I have reduced my auto usage considerably, almost nil. There is the BEST Bus and the train. Walking in our weather is a sweaty affair but if done smartly it can work. Not to mention the excercise it offers. But thats for me. Feels sorry to be treated like this.
2 comments:
Same here. I walk home everyday for 35 mins. Once your dependency on autos is nil, life is much more peaceful. I never waste a single minute waiting for the arrogant breed called autos.
@focsle:Totally and i hope more join us... for if nothing else, it is a wonderful good health act!
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