Kejriwal connects to B'luru auto drivers, demands Modi govt to withdraw Rule 8 of CMV Act

Published: Sunday, January 31, 2016, 21:45 [IST]

Bengaluru, Jan 31: Under treatment Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took time off to roll out an old strategy of connecting with Auto Rikshaw drivers on Sunday here in the city at St Josephs Indian High School Grounds.

Kejriwal addressing the public meeting convened by state unit of AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) took sharp jibe at Modi government for amending Central Motor Vehicle Act 2007 that lays down a norm of completing at least 8th standard for the auto drivers to get license and badge to ply.

He quipped that the governments has to apply mind while framing the rule but Modi government sadly has not applied mind. The rule make many loose their employment, Kejriwal observed.

The Delhi CM is in the city from a few days. He is taking treatment for diabetes at Jindal Naturecure Institute.

The program was organised to mark protest against Rule 8 of CMV Act 2007 and was attended by many auto drivers from across the city, besides Tumkur and Chikkaballapur.

The Delhi CM was quick to recall his relationship with Auto drivers, in his address saying "we have old relationship with the drivers." Kejriwal said the Delhi police earlier harassing the drivers in the national capital for the petty mistakes drivers commit. But now the AAP government has put an end to police raj clearing the ordeal of drivers.

"The Delhi police were seizing the Rikshwas for petty reasons causing trouble but after we came to power we resolved the issue ending police Raj in Delhi," Kejriwal informed. He divulged that recently he received a message from a auto Rikshaw driver, who informed about middlemen lobby, while issuing 10,000 permits to autos.

Kejriwal said, he immediately swung into action by suspending three RTO officers and also canceling some permits. He questioned the audience, how many drivers has the number of Karnataka CM? In Delhi a driver can directly contact the chief minister and such is the system in Delhi, he stressed.

"Every month I hold meeting with drivers. I sit with them and listen to them to understand the problems. I make full effort to resolve all the problems," CM pointed.

Kejriwal took swipe at Modi government for making passing of 8th standard to procure license and badge for the drivers, saying the union government does not bother about plight of drivers. Auto drivers are one the key transportation modes and it is preferable mode for lower middle class and middle class people.

Kejriwal said he would write a letter to the government to withdraw the rule 8 which otherwise make many loose their jobs. He also told the crowd that he would meet union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari to forward the demands of drivers.

The program was also attended by leaders of many auto unions and AAP state office bearers. However, Kejriwal arrived 1 hour 30 minutes late to the venue which apparently made many wait for long time in scorching heat.