Unfulfilled ₹12,000 Allowance Pledge by Cong Government Triggers Auto Driver Arrests

Several auto drivers and union leaders were a rrested across Telangana on Saturday as they protested the Congress government’s failure to implement the promised ₹12,000 annual allowance. The arrests, carried out while the drivers were preparing to raise their demands in the Assembly, have sparked political criticism and intensified the ongoing unrest.

Auto drivers, under the banner of a Joint Action Committee (JAC), were demanding immediate implementation of the ₹12,000 yearly financial assistance promised during the election campaign to compensate for income losses following the free bus travel scheme. Police detained drivers and union representatives in multiple districts, with many being held at local police stations.

BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao strongly condemned the arrests, calling them anti-democratic and unnecessary. He accused the Congress government of using police force to silence auto drivers instead of engaging in dialogue to address their genuine concerns. KTR said arresting drivers for seeking implementation of election promises reflects poor governance and disregard for the livelihoods of thousands of families.

He also pointed out that the government has failed to fulfill another key promise the establishment of a welfare board to provide social security benefits such as insurance and pensions to auto drivers.

KTR demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested auto drivers and urged the government to make a clear statement in the Assembly on when the ₹12,000 allowance and welfare board will be implemented . Auto driver unions warned that protests would continue if the promises remain unfulfilled.