Federation of Tourist Taxi Operators (FOTTO), along with Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghtana and Maharashtra Truck Tempo Vahtuk Mahasangh, has decided to launch a one-day protest strike on March 8, 2016 in Mumbai, against the Ministry of Transport’s recent decision of a hike in the statutory charges. The transport ministry has implemented steep hike in permit charges, renewal fees, penalties and other charges. FOTTO was informed about this hike by the Regional Transport Authority. The hike also includes proposed royalty to STA and hike in passenger tax by three times, which were substantially hiked two years ago.
The strike will be participated by tourist and commercial transport service providers, including private taxis, buses, trucks and auto rickshaw.
Speaking on the strike, Malik Patel, secretary, FOTTO informed, “The recent taxation structure proposed by the authorities calls for a 200 per cent hike, which was already hiked from ₹1200 to ₹12,000 about two years ago. This will affect travel service providers and the state’s transportation industry in a big way. We hope for a positive outcome.”
According to an official circular by FOTTO, the association had made representations against the hike to the authorities, but due to the negligence of the authorities, this strike had to be declared.
