Port Blair, Feb 04: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration to direct the RTO and Traffic Police units to treat Auto Rickshaw drivers and owners in the most sympathetic manner as per the norms.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the Member of Parliament mentioned that all Auto Unions under the banner of a Joint Action Committee have been staging protests since the last two days alleging harassment and excessive challan by RTO and Traffic Police.
In this regard, the Member of Parliament mentioned that during first and second lockdowns and also during all travel restrictions during COVID-19, these Auto Rickshaw drivers and owners have suffered heavily, due to zero income.
Inviting attention of the Chief Secretary, he added that the last two years have been very heavy on the Auto Rickshaw drivers and owners and many had to take loans from others to run their family.
The Member of Parliament added that now, when we are going through the third wave of COVID-19 and already there are travel restrictions on passenger vehicles, these Auto Rickshaw drivers and owners are again finding it difficult to earn daily bread for their family.
He pointed out that under these circumstances, heavy challan on these Auto Rickshaw drivers and owners is making their life more miserable. Many do not have enough money to pay for traffic challans.
The MP added, due to the ongoing Auto Rickshaw strike, common people in various places in South Andaman have been finding themselves totally stranded, because of the already existing Covid-19 restriction on Buses.
