Around 57 transport unions of Delhi came together on Monday to stage a protest march against the Government from Samta Sathal Rajghat to Delhi Secretariat. United Front of Transporter Association (UFTA), the apex body of transport unions, has alleged that Delhi Government has ignored them and never invited their members to address their grievances.
“Before forming Government, Kejriwal used to say that all our demands are just. He claimed to ensure they are met, if he comes to power. But now after more than a year, he has not fulfilled any of our demands and hasn't even shown any intention to do so,” said Shyam lal Gola, general secretary of UFTA.
Demands of the union include reduction of parking fees from commercial vehicles by Transport Department of Delhi, doing away with green tax, fare hike of auto rickshaws, curb on app-based taxis, bringing IGl under RTI, subsidy on CNG and the registration of all commercial vehicles, including over 2000 cc, in Delhi.
Thousands of members of the transport community marched from Rajghat to Secretariat waving black flags as marks of protest. Rajendra Soni, vice-president of UFTA, said that while the Transport Minister Satyendra Jain was open to meet the five representatives of the transport community, they demanded to meet Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“We have been told that a meeting with the CM will be arranged in two days. If that does not happen, we will consider going on a strike,” he said.