Delhi govt says panel to consider revision of auto & taxi fares soon

The Delhi government on Friday announced the formation of a committee to consider autorickshaw and taxi fares revision, this ahead of a strike called by the unions seeking subsidy on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot tweeted, "Due to the rising fuel prices, auto/taxi unions have been demanding revision of fares. @ArvindKejriwal govt. understands their concerns. A committee shall soon be constituted by transport Dept for this purpose, which shall furnish its recommendations in a time-bound manner."

The Delhi government's assurance comes day after the members of auto, taxi and cab drivers' associations warned the authorities to go on strike from Monday if their demand for subsidy on gas prices was not met. The bus operators have also announced to join the strike.

On April 11, hundreds of autorickshaw, taxi and cab drivers under the aegis of the Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh had staged a protest at the Delhi secretariat demanding gas subsidy.

The auto and taxi association of Delhi had written a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on April 6 demanding that they be provided with a subsidy of Rs. 35 per kg on CNG.

The Congress had also joined the protest, urging the chief minister to rise above party lines and help the drivers.

CNG price was hiked once again by Rs. 2.5 per kg in the national capital on Thursday. The price of CNG is currently Rs. 71.61 per kg in Delhi.