Rickshaw pullers demand rise in fares

Statesman News Service

MALDA, July 16: Backed by the Citu and Intuc, Trade unions of rickshaw pullers’ association have demanded new rickshaw fares to cope with the present price hike of essential commodities. They also demanded that the civic body would have to include all the names of rickshaw pullers in the Below the Poverty Level (BPL) category from the register of their license issued from the EBM.The vice chairman of the EBM, Mr. Dulal Sarkar said that they would discuss the matter with the administration only for the rickshaw pullers who are residents of the municipal area but not for the residents of the rural belt. They also demanded traffic training for rickshaw pullers before taking action on charges of violation of traffic rules. The rickshaw pullers’ associations here have united against the decision of the administration and civic body regarding ‘re-arrangement of traffic system’ and restriction imposed on unauthorised rickshaw pullers for violation of traffic system. Yesterday, the trade unions leader of rickshaw pullers met the civic body officials and demanded that the civic body would have to provide for ‘headlights’ of rickshaws here.The leaders have argued that headlights of rickshaw are not available here. The civic body should be ordered to get headlights from Kolkata by placing a supply order to a manufacturing company.Following the direction of the administration the civic body has instructed to set up headlights in each rickshaw at night, particularly during load shedding it is essential to avoid accident.The civic body has allowed one year for reconstruction of rickshaw's body which will be made of wood, and there would be scientific seat capacity with a handle for the safety of passengers. The civic body will not confiscate rickshaws made of an iron frame.