Hyderabad: Demanding that the State government immediately enforce total prohibition in the State and extend Rs 10,000 financial assistance to every auto like in Andhra Pradesh, the Telangana Auto Drivers Joint Action Committee (TADJAC) on Tuesday announced that they would go on hunger strike on Gandhi Jayanthi Day on October 2 at Indira Park from 10 am to 6 pm.

TADJAC convener Mohd Amanullah Khan complained that after ban on issue of auto permits imposed in 2002, a new auto costing Rs 1.7 lakh was being sold at Rs 3.3 lakh in black market. He demanded that the government immediately withdraw the ban and issue 20,000 new auto permits for the twin cities and stall the menace of sale of autos in black market.

Criticising the State government for not increasing auto meter fares since 2014, the TADJAC leaders demanded that auto meter fares be increased on par with the neighboring States. They also demanded that the government take immediate action to prevent entry of autos registered in other districts into the capital city.

They also demanded that the government render justice to families of auto drivers in the event of their natural death. The TADJAC leaders also demanded that the government undertake repairs of perforated roads in the city on a war-footing, otherwise, they will be constrained to intensify their agitation.