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Private transport unions called for their Bengaluru bandh to be called off on 27 July but withdrew it on Monday after discussions conducted by Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy. The government has been given till August 10 to comply with the requests of the transport unions.
On July 27, private bus owners, taxi drivers, and auto unions banded together to demand that their demands be met. In two rounds of negotiations in the Shanthinagar office of the Transport Department, Minister Ramalinga Reddy was able to appease the unions.
A total of 35 unions called on the government to revoke the "Shakti" program, which offers free transportation for women. The private transport unions asserted that the plan has had a negative impact on and is causing losses for buses, taxis, and automobiles. The private bus union has asked the government to compensate them for their losses.
Auto unions have called for the outlawing of Rapido bike taxis in the interim. The High Court is now hearing the case. Participants in the discussions alleged that the Transport Minister gave them an assurance that the Rapido bike taxis would be prohibited.
Narayanaswamy, president of the union representing Ola and Uber drivers, urged the government to delist 25,000 taxis that have been flagged for a variety of issues. Additionally, the taxi union encouraged the minister to aggressively enforce punishment for taxis operating with whiteboards.
Ramalinga Reddy has pledged to consider the concerns of the various unions and set up a meeting with the Chief Minister as soon as possible. On July 31, Reddy has also scheduled additional meetings with the unions.
