Free bus travel: Auto driver makes an earnest plea to CM Revanth

Hyderabad: The Telangana government’s Mahalakshmi scheme, which offers free bus rides for women, has reportedly affected the daily income of auto drivers in the state. Earlier this month, several unions supported the mass protest launched by hundreds of autorickshaw drivers at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park in Hyderabad.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao participated in the protest and blamed the Revanth Reddy government for reducing the daily income of auto drivers from Rs.2,000 to a few hundred rupees.

A message to the chief minister Revanth Reddy on the back of an autorickshaw is going viral on social media. An undated image was reportedly captured in the Lalapet area of Secunderabad.

The plea in Telugu reads: “Anna Revanth anna, jara mammalni kapadu. Free bus service raddu chesi maa auto driverlanu kapadandi.” [ O Revanth brother, save us (from becoming pauper). Cancel the free bus travel and help the auto drivers ].

For several months, the auto drivers have been protesting and demanding the withdrawal of the Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme implemented by the Congress government. They are also demanding the state government give them Rs. 15,000 compensation for their loss of income.