Nagpur, 18 Mar (HS):

The Auto-Rickshaw drivers and owners have threatened to state a state-wide protest

on March 23 alleging forceful registration under their welfare board by the

RTO. The State Government has taken a decision to constitute a welfare board

for them, and has appealed to the auto-rickshaw drivers to register under the

Board. Although the registration is voluntary, the RTO is compelling them to do

so, which is illegal.

General Secretary of

Auto-Rickshaw Drivers and Owners Joint Action Committee Vilas Bhalekar alleged

that RTO officials are pressurising rickshaw owners to register under the

Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Maharashtra Auto-Rickshaw and Taxi Drivers Welfare Board

threatening them of losing licence renewal and vehicle fitness certificate and

other official procedures.

Bahekar said that the

welfare board has been established without clarity on the schemes and benefits.

The drivers and owners are confused and without clarity are not willing to

register with the Board.

The union took the

decision to stage protest on March 23 and has appealed to withdraw enrolment

fees of Rs 500 and annual fees of Rs 300 prescribed by the Board.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar