The autorickshaw drivers presented a memorandum to the office-bearers of Adani Energy at Gujarat Vidyapith. A memorandum will also be presented to energy minister Saurav Patel in Gandhinagar.
Thousands of autorickshaw drivers took out a rally demanding a rollback in the prices of compressed natural gas (CNG). The rally was taken out from Usmanpura garden to Gandhinagar while passing through Income Tax crossroads on Tuesday.
The autorickshaw drivers presented a memorandum to the office-bearers of Adani Energy at Gujarat Vidyapith. A memorandum will also be presented to energy minister Saurav Patel in Gandhinagar.
The drivers expressed their concern over the cost of running vehicles on CNG to help reduce air pollution. Ashok Punjabi, the chief advisor of Ahmedabad Autorickshaw Drivers Sangarsh Samiti, said: "The autorickshaw drivers have for a long time been demanding a rollback in 15% VAT on CNG imposed by the state government. The issue of Ahmedabad being kept out of the purview of Administrative Price Mechanism (APM) has to be resolved."
"Delhi is supplying gas under APM, while Ahmedabad is being denied the benefit, though Ahmedabad's name is included in the Supreme Court's list of few cities which need to curb pollution," said Punjabi, adding that if APM is introduced in Ahmedabad, the CNG prices will be reduced by Rs7-8 per kg.
The autorickshaw drivers have been for a long time demanding a formation of CNG regulation committee. Punjabi said that the association is planning to go on strike if their demands are not met.
In the last two months, CNG prices have increased by Rs1.16. Jignesh Parmar, an autorickshaw driver, said: "The price hike will adversely affect our earnings. We are completely against the proposal. On an average, every vehicle will have to bear a loss of Rs1, 000 every month if the hike is approved."
Meanwhile, the School Rickshaw Association could not participate in the rally as they were informed late. However, association head Dharmesh Bhrambhatt said, "We totally support the demands of autorickshaw drivers." Government spokesperson and energy minister Saurabh Patel said: "I am ready to bring the matter before the Centre and also convey the problems of the association.”
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