Maharashtra: Samant Demands Eknath Shinde Form Welfare Board For Autorickshaw Drivers, CM Himself Was A Driver Once

Mumbai, 7th July 2202: Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to form a board for the welfare of autorickshaw and taxi drivers in the state on the lines of Tamil Nadu.

In a letter to Shinde, Samant said the move would benefit 8.32 lakh licensed autorickshaws and 90,000 taxi drivers and owners. This proposal is also important because at one time Shinde also earned his livelihood by driving an autorickshaw.

“Tamil Nadu has a welfare scheme for auto drivers and they are covered under the Tamil Nadu Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Work) Act, 1982. The proposal to set up a board for social security and welfare is necessary. It is requested that a board for auto and taxi drivers be made on the lines of Tamil Nadu”, the letter states.

Samant is part of a group of rebel Shiv Sena MLAs. He was a cabinet minister in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government.