Ranchi: Auto-rickshaw unions in the city have warned of an indefinite strike if the state government fails to resolve the long-pending issue of route permits. They alleged that the authorities have not issued fresh permits for several years while continuing to penalise drivers for operating without them.A large number of CNG auto-rickshaw drivers and union members staged a protest outside Lok Bhavan on Monday, demanding the immediate issuance of route permits to 5,000 auto-rickshaws plying in the city.The protesting drivers claimed that the last route permits were issued in 2017 and were valid for only one year. Since then, they alleged, no fresh permits have been issued despite repeated appeals to the transport department.Jharkhand State CNG Autodrivers’ Union president Dinesh Soni alleged that since 2017, the permits had neither been renewed nor had new ones been issued.“Despite that, auto-rickshaw drivers are heavily fined by the authorities every now and then. While we have repeatedly appealed for route permits, the authorities have not provided us with the same. The drivers are facing the brunt of an issue that the authorities failed to resolve,” Soni said.The union also submitted a memorandum to the Ranchi deputy commissioner, giving a three-day ultimatum to resolve the issue. “If the issue is not resolved within the given time, we will intensify our protest and call an indefinite strike,” Soni said.Ranchi district auto drivers’ union president Ajay Yadav said that while only 5,000 permits have been issued for autos in the city, a staggering 15,000 autos are operating, causing heavy traffic snarls.“If the remaining autos are also provided permits, it will unburden drivers of the heavy penalties levied by transport sleuths and also generate revenue for the government,” he added.Regional Transport Authority secretary Ajoy Kumar Rajak said the RTA has been renewing route permits for auto drivers without fail. “The RTA is mulling increasing the number of permitted autos in the city. However, due to some departmental roadblocks, it has not been done yet. We are in the process of providing permits to more drivers,” Rajak added.
