AITUC workers stage protest against hike in FC fee
The Hindu
PUDUCHERRY
Traffic got disrupted for about 30 minutes on 100 feet road on Monday following a protest by All India Trade Union Congress against the hike in Fitness Certificate (FC) fee for autorickshaws.
Several drivers attached to the AITUC union parked their vehicles near the Transport Department office on 100 feet road and staged a protest. Traffic along the 100-feet road flyover completely got disrupted for about 30 minutes. The protest which occurred during peak hour created hurdles for daily commuters travelling on the stretch.
General secretary of AITUC K. Sethuselvam in a statement said they were compelled to stage the protest as the hike in FC had put severe financial strain on autorickshaw drivers. The charge for FC has been increased from ₹ 700 to ₹ 4600. Apart from obtaining the certificate, the autorickshaw owners have to shell out ₹ 8000 for insurance premium and ₹ 1500 as road tax. The COVID-19 pandemic had hit the daily earnings of the autorickshaw drivers. The increase in fee for FC would create additional burden on the autorickshaw drivers, he added.