Financial relief: Maharashtra govt has forgotten us, say taxi drivers

Cabbies and auto drivers said business has been severely hit

Taxi and auto drivers in the city have accused the government of brushing aside their plight. While cabbies said the state has forgotten about them, autowallahs said the compensation of Rs 1,500 against their demand of Rs 10,000 a month is nothing but a cruel joke.

As he announced fresh measures on Tuesday night to check the spread of Coronavirus, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said his government will provide financial relief to 12 lakh auto drivers in the state.

"Is it a cruel joke? Since the first lockdown, we have had several meetings with the state officials and categorically said that we wanted Rs 10,000 per month. Even as we are waiting for the amount for the past six months, we have been given this Rs 1,500 as one-time relief. What is the government up to? What can be done with Rs 1,500?" Shashank Sharad Rao, Mumbai Automen's Union leader said.

Mumbai Taximen's Union leader Anthony Quadros was also livid.

"The taximen are one of the oldest public transporters in Mumbai and the CM did not even mention us. It is really a matter of shame that the government has almost forgotten us. We will be writing to the CM's office about this huge lapse. The condition of the taximen is worse and such gross negligence from the government is not acceptable at all," he said. Rao, too, said he will write an appeal to the government on behalf of auto drivers.

Transport department officials said that the government has done whatever is possible for all industries as everyone is facing losses.

Making it more difficult for the cabbies, the latest rules also call for a fine of Rs 500 for a taxi driver if passengers don't wear a mask.

Rs 10,000
Amount per month union had demanded for drivers