Ponnam Gives Key Assurances on Auto Unions’ Demands

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said discussions with auto workers’ unions were successful, with the government agreeing to consider several of their demands. The unions responded to the government’s appeal and called off their indefinite strike. The government clarified that the RTC has no plans to purchase EV autos and said reports suggesting otherwise were false. It also agreed to establish a welfare board for auto workers, with a joint meeting involving the Labour Department, Transport Department and union representatives scheduled for September 1 to finalise its guidelines.

The government also agreed to consider increasing auto fares, which have not been revised since 2012, after receiving a suitable report on the proposed hike. Plans are underway to develop a government-run app similar to Ola and Uber. The government will also examine allowing passenger services through Rapido, Ola and Uber on two wheelers only when they have yellow number plates. A decision on the ₹12,000 financial assistance promised to auto workers will be taken after discussions with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and other ministers, considering the state’s financial position. In addition, the government will provide ₹1.50 lakh assistance to convert old petrol and diesel autos into EV autos through retrofitting in the Hyderabad core area, while subsidies have already been approved for purchasing new autos.