NEW DELHI: Commercial vehicle drivers' unions in Delhi-NCR began a three-day strike on Thursday, demanding a hike in taxi and auto fares amid rising fuel prices, though several auto and taxi unions distanced themselges from the protest, saying services would continue as usual.
The strike, called from May 21 to 23, was announced by the All India Motor Transport Congress and supported by the Chaalak Shakti Union.
The unions have said the increase in CNG, petrol and diesel prices has made it difficult for drivers to support their families.
"Due to the continuously increasing prices of CNG, petrol and diesel, middle-class drivers are struggling to support their families. Therefore, in coordination with other organisations of Delhi, the 'Chaalak Shakti Union' has called for a Chakka Jam (strike) and appealed not to operate vehicles on May 21, 22 and 23," said Anuj Kumar Rathore, vice-president of the Chaalak Shakti Union.
The unions have demanded that the Delhi government immediately revise taxi and auto fares, warning of a larger protest if no action is taken.
"If the government does not immediately increase taxi fares and issue a notification within one or two weeks, this movement will be intensified into a large-scale protest, for which the Delhi government solely would be responsible," the union said.
In a letter to Delhi lieutenant governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and chief minister Rekha Gupta, the All India Motor Transport Congress said commercial drivers were facing "economic exploitation" and demanded stronger policies to protect them.
The unions also alleged that app-based cab companies were "acting arbitrarily", while drivers in Delhi were "becoming victims of economic exploitation and slavery-like conditions."
"Fares for city taxis have not been hiked in the Delhi-NCR-vegion for the last 15 years. Meanwhile, the cost of CNG, petrol, diesel, et cetera, has increased manifold," the letter said.
The unions further claimed that despite a Delhi high court direction last year to address taxi drivers' concerns and revise fares, the government had delayed the process.
However, the strike call appeared to have divided transport unions in the capital.
The Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh said auto and taxi services would function normally and clarified that the protest was mainly linked to transporters opposing the Delhi government's decision to raise the environment compensation cess on commercial vehicles.
"The issues concerning goods carrier vehicles have been ongoing for the past 15 to 20 days and have no connection with auto and taxi drivers. Auto and taxi services will continue to operate normally at all railway stations, bus terminals and other locations as usual," said Rajendra Soni, general secretary of the Auto Rickshaw Sangh.
Soni said five unions, including Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union, Auto Drivers Welfare Sangh Delhi, Pragatisheel Autorickshaw Drivers Union and National Capital Region Auto Taxi Transport Union, had distanced themselves from the strike and road blockade.
"The unions have demanded that the Delhi government increase auto and taxi fares. The rise in CNG prices has burdened drivers financially. The government has failed to address other demands, leading to exploitation of drivers," he said.
He added that the unions wanted to meet Rekha Gupta to resolve the issues quickly.
The Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transport Association also said it would not participate in the strike.
"The association believes that the country is currently facing serious challenges due to rising international oil and gas prices. At such a time, it is important to cooperate in the national interest rather than inconvenience the general public," said Sanjay Samrat, president of the Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transport Association.
