SILCHAR, Sept 9 � The autorickshaw owners and drivers of Silchar town recently staged a dharna in front of the office of the deputy commissioner here in connection with the hike in the prices of petrol. They called for a hike in the fares of autorickshaws.
Most owners argued that cost of living being so high, they cannot run their family on the present fares. Around 800 autorickshaw owners and drivers lined up their vehicles and later moved to the office of the DTO, demanding among others hike in auto fares as well as immediate repair and improvement of roads.
The Autorickshaw Owners� Association has pressed for enhancement of fares. It threatened that the memorandum submitted should be treated as an ultimatum for consideration of hike, failing which it would be compelled to take to an agitational course of action which might mean withdrawing all their vehicles off the roads.
In the memorandum addressed to the deputy commissioner of Cachar, the association leaders and members reminded the district authority of his assurance to increase the fares, but without any tangible results. They pointed out that it was the employment policy of the State Government which prompted them to take to auto driving under the PMRY scheme for their economic sustenance and survival. But the ever-escalating prices of diesel and petrol as well as the damage to their vehicles due to poor condition of the roads have left them with no alternative than to ask for a hike in the fares.
The memorandum pointed out that the autorickshaw operators have to cough up a substantial part of their daily earnings for repairing their vehicles and also meet the rising cost of petroleum products and essential commodities. It is most unfortunate that despite all these constraints and difficulties, the fares have remained more or less stagnant for the six to seven years, it added.
Blood donation camp: A blood donation camp was organised by the Guru Charan College unit of the Assam College Teacher�s Association (ACTA) to celebrate the platinum jubilee of the reputed educational institution in south Assam.
The camp was officially inaugurated by Samar Kanti Roy Chowdhury, president of the college. Dr Chhaya Roy Kundu, president, ACTA unit of the college, delivered the welcome address. Mahitosh Paul was felicitated by the unit for his contribution towards the blood donation movement in this part of the country.
Md Hachim Ali, principal, Dr Paritosh Chakraborty, senior Medical Officer of the Silchar Medical College and Chandan Paul Choudhury, secretary, Cachar zonal committee of the ACTA spoke at the camp. Dr Manoj Kumar Paul, central committee member of the ACTA, was the first donor in the camp.
A total of 65 persons, mostly students of the college, donated blood at the camp which was organised with the active support of the blood bank of the Silchar Medical College. Dr Pranay Bhramachari offered the vote of thanks. The programme was conducted by Dr Apratim Nag, secretary of the ACTA unit of the college.
