Move govt or court, but avoid strikes, advises HC

The Bombay High Court on Monday pulled up the Mumbai Auto Rickshaw union for declaring a strike in the city on August 21 and advised it to approach the court or the gover nment with its grievances.

A division bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud was hearing a public interest litigation filed by city-based NGO Mumbai Grahak Panchayat seeking direction to the Maharashtra gover nment to restrain the union from pro- ceeding with the strike.

Seeking a fare hike and implementation of other recommendations of Hakim Committee, the Mumbai Auto Rickshaw union has announced a 72hour strike from August 21.

Directing the union not to create inconvenience to commuters, the court said, "If you (the union) have problems then go to the gover nment or come to court. Everytime you cannot threaten to strike and cause inconvenience to lakhs of commuters.”

The court also pointed out that as the main petition filed by the NGO last year challenging the fare hike of October 2012 was still pending, the rickshaw union should have come to the court with its g rievances. The hearing will be continue on Tuesday.

The petition has also sought that gover nment should invoke Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) to prevent the strike

MUMBAI: Swabhiman Sanghtana autorickshaw union on Monday claimed that Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had assured that police cases would be filed against the activists of Sharad Rao-led union, which has given a call for strike from August 21 midnight, if they vandalised other rickshaws plying on the streets.

A delegation-led by Swabhiman Sanghtana leader Nitesh Rane and including leaders of its auto union met the Maharashtra Chief Minister today, seeking action against the possible vandalism during the strike.

"Swabhiman auto union is against the strike, and to help commuters, more than 20,000 autos of Swabhiman will ply during the strike," union president K K Tiwari said.

The Swabhiman auto union also demanded during the meeting with Chavan that auto renewal permits should be valid for one year and not just six months. Temporary badges should be given to the auto drivers and the RTO should not fine Rs 100 for not wearing badges, the union demanded.

Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar also met Chavan today, demanding that the auto rickshaws not participating in the strike should be provided security.