Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has drawn criticism from auto and taxi unions for “not doing anything” on the issue of hike in the CNG prices.
CNG price was hiked by Rs.4.30 last week. It now costs Rs.50.10/kg in Delhi and Rs.56.70/kg in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad. The CNG prices have witnessed a hike of Rs.11 during the last eight months.
The auto and taxi unions, which had condemned the hike, had threatened to go on strike if the hike was not rolled back. But they withdrew the threat after Mr. Kejriwal assured the AAP government will soon act on the issue, have demanded a subsidy of Rs. 4 30.
Mr. Kejriwal had criticised the CNG hike, said he would examine the files and explore the possibilities of the roll back of the CNG price hike. Otherwise, the Chief Minister had suggested, auto-rickshaw fares may have to be revised.
Rajendra Soni from Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh criticised the “inaction” on part of the AAP government.
“It is quite unfortunate that the AAP government has not done anything on the assurance given to us. If they can give subsidy for water and power, what stops the government in giving subsidy to compensate for the hike of Rs. 4.3?”
“In January 2013, the CNG was selling at Rs.33. In 2014, it sells at Rs.50 — a hike of Rs.17 within a year. How are we going to deal with it without any support from the Delhi government? We did so much advertisement for the AAP before the elections and now they have forgotten us after forming the government. It would be grave injustice with us poor labours if the government continues to ignore our interests?” said Mr. Soni who met the Delhi Chief Minster after the hike.
Mr. Soni threatened that the auto and taxi unions will organise protests if the Government ignored the demands of the auto and taxi workers. While Mr. Soni demanded subsidy, some of the auto drivers on the road felt another round of price hike only can deal with the impact of the CNG hike.
Nazeer Ahamad, a driver who stays in Seelampur, said: “After the steep hike there should be proportionate revision of fares, some thing which even Mr. Kejriwal talked about after the hike.”
Rakesh Agarwal who works on the issues faced by labours in transport sector, said: “Fare hike would not be a sensible and practical thing to do as it will make autos out of reach for the common public. Instead, the government should structure auto fares.”
