Diesel-run autorickshaws would continue to stay off the roads and the smaller autos would also be taken off the road from Sunday as discussion between the auto drivers’ association and the transport officials failed once again after a meeting with the transport officials here on Saturday.
“We were protesting against increasing the seat capacity from three passengers and a driver to five passengers and a driver, which is the only one out of the six-points that has been agreed upon by the transport department to be resolved,” said Ramkumar Singh, president of the Jharkhand State Diesel Autorickshaw Drivers’ Association.
However, Rajesh Kumar Barwar, Regional Transport Officer said the demands placed by the striking drivers’ association is quite ridiculous and cannot be resolved any time soon. “Intervention of senior officials is needed, if at all such demands are to be met. We will raise these issues and see if anything can be done,” said Barwar. Singh further reiterated that the strike will continue, including violence and aggression until the Government meets their remaining five-point charter of demands, including issuing of fresh permits, demarcation of autorickshaw stands.