New Delhi: Commercial vehicle drivers’ associations in Delhi-NCR have announced a three-day strike from May 21 to 23 (Thursday to Saturday), demanding an immediate hike in taxi and auto fares amid rising fuel prices and alleged exploitation by app-based cab aggregators.According to news agency ANI, “Chalak Shakti Union” submitted a letter to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Chief Minister, Transport Minister and Police Commissioner, extending support to the nationwide protest call given by the All India Motor Transport Congress.The unions said taxi fares in Delhi-NCR have not been revised for almost 15 years despite a sharp rise in CNG, petrol and diesel prices as well as higher maintenance, insurance, permit and fitness certificate costs.“Despite rising inflation, taxi fares are still being charged at old rates, severely affecting the livelihood of drivers,” the union said in its letter.

Warning of protest on delay in fare revision

The unions warned that if the Delhi government failed to revise the fares within a week or two, the agitation could turn into a major protest movement.Anuj Kumar Rathod, vice-president of Chalak Shakti Sangh, said, “Due to the ever-increasing prices of CNG, petrol and diesel, middle class drivers are struggling to feed their families.”The unions also announced that a protest would be held at the Delhi Secretariat on 23 May.The drivers alleged that app-based companies like Ola, Uber and Rapido were acting arbitrarily and pushing drivers into “economic exploitation and slavery-like conditions”.“The union had to approach the Delhi High Court last year, which clearly directed that the problems of taxi drivers should be resolved and taxi fares should be increased,” the letter said.

Pressure increases due to increase in fuel prices

The strike has been announced amid a fresh increase in fuel prices across the country.Petrol and diesel prices were again increased by nearly 90 paise per liter on Tuesday, the second hike in less than a week. Petrol prices in Delhi rose to Rs 98.64 per liter from Rs 97.77, while diesel rose to Rs 91.58 per liter from Rs 90.67.Earlier, oil marketing companies had increased petrol and diesel prices by about Rs 3 per liter following the disruption in global energy supply linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Gig workers also express concern

The demand for fare revision comes days after gig and platform workers across India called for a temporary shutdown of app-based services in protest against rising fuel costs and low pay rates.Drivers and delivery workers have argued that although fuel expenses have continued to rise rapidly, app-based fares and payments have not increased proportionately.“Whenever fuel prices increase, our expenses increase immediately, but customer fares do not increase accordingly,” said a cab driver.Crude oil prices have risen significantly in recent months due to the Middle East conflict, while state-run fuel retailers are reportedly still facing low realizations on petrol and diesel sales.