Auto drivers to agitate over permit fee hike

Hyderabad, Nov 15 (UNI) The Telangana Auto Drivers Joint Action Committee today warned of 'transport bandh' if the State Government does not withdraw the hike permit fees and penalty rates in respect of all passenger and goods vehicles, which came into effect from today.

According to a press release here, committee convenor Mohd Amanullah Khan said if the hike in rates was not withdrawn, they would be forced to organise a transport bandh shortly.

Criticising the State Government for not accepting its ''just demands'' like renewal of auto permits without insisting on conversion to LPG/CNG mode and five-year tax exemption to CNG-converted autos, he said the government's move to hike the rates would only add to existing inflation as the burden has to be passed to the common man.

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