Hyderabad: Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the state government is committed to resolving the genuine issues of auto-rickshaw drivers and urged them to withdraw their proposed strike and come forward for discussions with the government.

The Minister said the government has decided to establish a Welfare Board for Auto Workers. Necessary guidelines and procedures will be prepared soon to formally constitute the board and ensure welfare measures for auto drivers.

He said auto fares have not been revised since 2015, despite increases in petrol and diesel prices, vehicle costs and maintenance expenses. A special committee will be constituted to examine the demand for a fare hike. Representatives of auto workers, Transport Department officials and other stakeholders will be included in the committee to arrive at a fair decision after detailed discussions.

Ponnam Prabhakar also announced that the government is introducing a new scheme to encourage the conversion of petrol, diesel and gas autos into electric vehicles through retrofitting. Under the scheme, financial assistance of up to Rs.1.50 lakh per auto will be provided to help drivers shift to electric autos.

The government will also support auto drivers who scrap their old vehicles and purchase new electric autos. The Minister said the government aims to gradually replace petrol, diesel and gas autos in Hyderabad with electric autos, while reducing pollution and the financial burden on auto workers.

He added that the government will also consider the problems faced by auto drivers in rural areas and examine ways to provide them with greater financial benefits. Eligible auto workers’ families will also be brought under various welfare programmes, including ration cards, free electricity and free bus travel.

Referring to the resolution of RTC workers’ issues, the Minister said the government would similarly address the legitimate demands of auto workers. He stressed that problems cannot be resolved through strikes and urged auto drivers to engage in dialogue with the government.

Speaking from Husnabad, Ponnam Prabhakar appealed to auto workers not to go on strike and instead cooperate with the government in finding solutions through discussions.