Auto-rickshaw drivers protest against Delhi Govt

Scores of auto-rickshaw drivers today staged a protest outside the Delhi Secretariat, alleging a scam in issuance of permits.

New Delhi, Dec 5: Scores of auto-rickshaw drivers, under the banner of Swaraj India, today staged a protest outside the Delhi Secretariat, alleging a scam in issuance of permits was "running under the nose of government" and demanding a CBI inquiry into the matter.

The auto-rickshaw drivers marched from ITO to the Delhi Secretariat and demanded that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Transport Minister Satyendar Jain address their demands.

Extending support to the protesters, Swaraj India national president Yogendra Yadav said, "We recently exposed the permit scam running right under the nose of the Delhi government. An unholy nexus between the Delhi government and the financiers is resulting in poor drivers being forced to purchase autos worth 1.85 lakh for Rs 4.50 lakh."

Swaraj India spokesperson also alleged that 10,000 auto permits were being stopped by the Delhi government, which was hurting the auto drivers.

He said the transport department should again start issuing these 10,000 permits. Yadav-led Swaraj India, which is critical of the Arvind Kejriwal government, will make its debut in electoral politics by contesting the upcoming civic body election. The AAP had sacked Yadav and activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan for "anti-party" activities after they questioned Kejriwal's style of functioning.

PTI