Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (TU/CN)
 
Mangalore, Feb 26: “Driving auto rickshaws is a noble profession since it is classified as a Public Service Vehicle (PSV)”, said Afzal Ahmed Khan, regional transport officer, on Thursday February 26.
 
He was delivering the speech at the inaugural function of the Dakshina Kannada District Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Association’s district-level convention on pension and other welfare programmes held at Jeppu Seminary here.

The programme was organized by the district committee of Federation of Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union.

“The drivers should not ask for insurance and welfare programmes. The RTO fixes auto rickshaw fares only after taking into consideration every cost. They should submit a memorandum to the DC and concerned officials about their woes”, said Khan.

He added that auto drivers should maintain a professional standard to be recognized in society and should derive satisfaction from their jobs.

The behaviour of Dakshina Kannada drivers is better when compared to those in other districts of the state added Khan. He claimed that the owners have no right on their vehicle when it is on the road after being registered as PSV by the RTO. Autorickshaw driving is a service, especially to the middle class and poor people, he stressed.
 
Prakash V N, general secretary, Auto Rickshaw Driver’s Union, CITU, said that auto drivers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu had the benefit of a pension scheme. He added that in Tamil Nadu, they went on strike for almost a month to get pension and other welfare schemes.

Prakash said that the state government had been collecting Rs 821 crore as tax from auto rickshaw drivers and urged for a separate premium policy for auto drivers.