Mumbai cabbies call off token strike

The Mumbai taximen union which had called for a token strike tomorrow has called it off after intervention by Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan.

"We had a meeting with the chief minister today and he has agreed to most of our demands and therefore we have called off the strike," Mumbai taximen union leader AL Quadros told PTI.

"Our demands, including waiving of the documentary proof for identity cards and for change of residential address (for taxi drivers) have been accepted," Quadros said.

He, however, clarified that the waiver will be applicable only for those cabbies who had register themselves with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) prior to year 2008 and not for the new applicants post 2010.

"The government has also agreed to award monetary compensation for the taxi stands which were removed by the RTO around 10-12 years ago," Quadros added.