CUTTACK: Autorickshaw drivers have announced that they would stage a dharna in front of the State Assembly on August 23 demanding proper facilities and formulation of a policy for streamlining their operations in the villages, towns and cities of the State. Autorickshaw drivers and operators from 15 districts of the State, who took part in a convention here on Thursday, rued that they were not being accorded due recognition despite being the most potent mode of public transportation. More than 60,000 autorickshaws are plying across 140 cities, towns and villages of the State. Everday over five lakh people turn to the three- wheeler services for commuting to their destinations. The sector has provided employment to over 1.20 lakh youth. But still there is no policy for their smooth operation or extension of social security cover for the people who are rendering the services. The autorickshaws are facing harassment every day. There has been no provisioning of parking facilities for them as a result of which hefty fines are imposed by police. Even as States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and West Bengal have formulated comprehensive policies for them and have offered pension, health insurance and housing benefits, Orissa has not moved in the direction, State president Subash Singh said. These and other demands like extending soft loans would be taken up by the autorickshaw owners during their agitation. They have demanded extension of loans at 4 per cent for educated youth to purchase and ply the three-wheelers. Among others, working president Nabakishore Mohanty, Orissa Transport Federation president Radharaman Sarangi and CITU secretary B Mohanty were present.
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