Autos to stay off roads on Feb 20, cabbies divided on stir

MUMBAI: Auto drivers have threatened to go off roads on February 20 if their demands of one lakh new permits and social security such as pension and medial insuranceare not fulfilled. Cabbies, however, are divided over joining the strike called in March by union leader A L Quadros.
Auto union leader Shashank Rao said, "We have planned a rally to transport commissioner's office on February 14.And we may go off the roads on February 20."
Quadros had also appealed to cabbies to stay off roads during peak hours. But his appeal does not seem to have many supporters. "Why should drivers who have permits go on strike? Quadros doesn't enjoy support of all drivers and unions," said K K Tiwari who heads one of the unions. Another union leader, Prem Singh, said, "We don't want to inconvenience people. There has been a need for more permits since 1997, but there are other ways to highlight the problem."
Stating that strikes were illegal, an RTO official rubbished Quadros' statements as pressure tactics.