MP P.R. Natarajan petitioned the Coimbatore District Collector to grant permission to auto drivers to begin operations from June 1. He further requested a three-month moratarium for the repayment of loans taken by women.
Coimbatore: MP P.R. Natarajan petitioned the Coimbatore District Collector to grant permission to auto drivers to begin operations from June 1. He further requested a three-month moratarium for the repayment of loans taken by women.
He petitioned to the District Collector along with the Auto Drivers Union and the AIDWA to petition to the District Collector. Speaking to the press at the Collectorate he said, "during the 52-day lockdown the Auto Drivers Union observed the conditions vigilantly. However, the government has not heeded to the request of the Union when they requested permission to operate autos with the relaxation of the lockdown. Also, when the government announced welfare schemes for the 52 trade welfare boards, none were put froth for the auto drivers and construction workers welfare board."
Further he charged, "despite the lockdown being relaxed in phases, autos have still not been permitted to operate. In this critical state, the banks are applying undue pressure on the auto drivers to pay back their loans, which is condemnable."
He also said, "auto drivers requested the government to provide Rs.5,000 relief fund and to permit the operation of autos from June 1. If this is not heeded to, then the auto unions will come forward and voluntarily operate the autos, without waiting for permission. Hence, the government and the District Administration should consider the request of the auto drivers and permit them to start operations."
"Another problem being faced is the loans provided to women through Women's Associations. Women are being subjected to grief in this regard by the banks. It is totally unfair to expect repayments from them as soon as the lockdown has been eased. This puts a lot of pressure on the people. The banks must therefore grant three months' time to pay back the loans. The TN government and the District Administration must consider these requests with due concern," he said.