Transport unions stage protestover fuel price hike, inflation

Patna: The All India Road Transport Workers Federation, Bihar State Auto Chalak Sangh and Patna District Auto Rickshaw Chalak Sangh on Thursday staged a unique protest across Bihar, including Patna, against rising diesel, petrol and CNG prices, as well as inflation. Vehicle operations remained suspended from 12 pm to 2 pm. During the protest, drivers were seen pulling auto-rickshaws with bamboo sticks tied to them.Speaking during the agitation, federation general secretary Rajkumar Jha said, “The way diesel, petrol, CNG, and prices of other commodities are increasing daily, and the govt is silently watching the spectacle, it seems that middle and lower-class families will face severe hardship in the coming days.”Rajkumar demanded that the govt either roll back the increased fuel prices immediately or allow a 25% fare hike. “Otherwise, we will intensify the agitation in the coming days,” he said.Patna District Auto Rickshaw Chalak Sangh president Pappu Yadav said, “If fares increase, the public already struggling with inflation will face a double blow. Not just passenger vehicle fares, freight charges will also rise. Naturally, prices of daily essentials will go up and the common man’s budget will collapse.”Protests were held at Bairiya Bus Stand under the leadership of Chandan Singh, Sunil Kumar and Pramod Kumar.Bihar Motor Transport Federation president Uday Shankar Singh said bus services remained suspended across Bihar, including at Bairiya Bus Stand, between 12pm and 2pm.“If the govt doesn’t find a solution, the agitation will intensify,” Uday warned.The unions warned that they would be compelled to increase fares of autos, cabs, private buses and trucks from June 1. The proposed hike is expected to range between 20% and 25%.