THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The indefinite strike call by motor vehicle unions from Wednesday, has been called off, after discussions with Transport Minister A K Saseendran on Monday. A joint union of autorickshaw, taxi, and light motor vehicle workers were planning to go on indefinite strike from July 4. The council comprising eight trade unions, including INTUC and CITU, has put forward a charter of demands, including repealing advance tax of 15 years levied for taxi cars, withdrawing the hike in RTO fees for various services and also a fine of `2,000 being levied for a day’s delay in sealing autorickshaw meters.
“Regarding the advance tax of 15 years the department has suggested, those who have paid their tax for 5 years will be given relaxation to pay it in a year with a gap of two months. But the approach was rejected by the workers so we have decided to consider it further after a discussion with the Finance Department,” said Saseendran.
The union has claimed to hike the auto fare as it has been last revised in 2014. The minister said regarding this matter it’s not possible to revise the fare all of a sudden and they will put the matter under consideration.
In addition to the Transport Minister, Labour minister T P Ramakrishnan and Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Thilothaman were also present.
The issues regarding legal metrology - imposing a fine of Rs 2,000 for a day’s delay in sealing autorickshaw meters - were discussed in detail with the Legal Metrology Minister. The workers demanded to amend the fine. Even though the Centre has fixed this fine, other states have provided relaxation to their MV workers so the government will soon look after this matter and take a favorable decision. The issue will be looked into, the ministers assured. Further demands which have been registered under the Kerala Motor Transport Workers Welfare fund Board will be considered by the government and proper action will be taken in favour to the workers.
The minister gave an assurance to favourably look into their demands, and urged the unions to cancel the strike. A few demands raised by the union will be considered soon while the remaining will be examined and discussed before August 20.