Auto, taxis to go on token strike Nov 5

Kozhikode, Oct 30 (UNI) Autorickshaws and taxis in Kerala will go on an indefinite strike on November five across the State if their demand for fare hike is not conceded by tomorrow, Kerala Private Motor Workers Federation (KPMWF) said.

Addressing a press conference here today. KPMWF General Secretary K M Kuttikrishan said they were forced to take the step as the government had ''failed'' to implement a decision taken on September two to revise the fare.

He said as per the decision taken at a meeting convened by State Transport Minister Mathew T Thomas, the government had agreed to increase the minimum charge of autorickshaws and taxis in view of the hike in the prices of petroleum products.

But despite repeated reminders and representations by various workers organisations, the government had failed to implement the agreement, he alleged.

Moreover, a recent media report had said the government was not in favour of a hike, prompting the federations to go on agitation, he said.

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), affiliated to the CPI (M), had also extended support to the agitation, he claimed.

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