The Telangana government has not paid the bills for over 13,000 vehicles hired from owner-cum-drivers for several months. The Telangana Four-Wheeler Driver’s Association is demanding a revision of hire charges for their vehicles, as there has been no increase in fixed hire charges for the past six years.
The owner-cum-drivers are mostly youth belonging to SC, ST, backward caste, and minority communities in Telangana. They have bought vehicles and rented them to various government departments. The government had set a monthly rent of Rs 33,000 for every 2,500 km driven per month for these vehicles. However, the drivers have been pressured to provide newer models of cars, which are more expensive in terms of EMI, spares, and maintenance costs.
Shaik Salauddin, the founder State president of the Telangana Four-Wheeler Driver’s Association, has requested an increase in the hire charges from Rs 34,000 to Rs 55,000 per month considering the current situation and economy. The association has submitted representations to the finance department, transport department, and transport commissioner.
The association has also reminded the government of previous letters submitted to various officials regarding this issue. The payments for the hire vehicles by government departments are pending, with some owners waiting for six months, some for 12 months, and others for 18 months. The association urges the government to increase the payment structure to Rs 55,000 per month given the current situation and economy.
