COVID-19 pandemic: Distressed share-taxi owners highlight woes

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Greater Guwahati MST Co-ordination Committee has stressed that the owners of share taxis are in economic distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing a press meet, the committee's secretary Abdur Rezzaque Ahmed said, "The share-taxi business have been adversely affected due to various orders issued by the government regarding plying of vehicles amid the pandemic. The owners of share taxis are not being able to pay the monthly instalments of their vehicles. They are also struggling to renew the documents of their vehicles. Thus, the document renewal dates should be extended to March 31, 2022."

Further, the committee demanded the government to take action against diesel tempos and e-rickshaws that are 'illegally' running on main roads.

"The government should direct the banks not to harass the owners to pay the EMIs. Moreover, the surging prices of petrol, diesel and essential commodities should be controlled. The government should also take responsibility to vaccinate the share taxi owners, drivers, and workers. On the other hand, the fares of the vehicles that were requisitioned for election duties should be released," demanded Ahmed.

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