Autorickshaw Drivers Voice Concerns Over Livelihood Amid ‘Stree Shakti’ Scheme

Quick Summary

• Event: Autorickshaw drivers staged protests across Andhra Pradesh against the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme launched by Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu on Independence Day.
• Scheme Details: The Stree Shakti scheme provides free bus travel for women and transgenders in the state.
• Drivers’ Concerns: Protesters argue that the initiative adversely impacts their livelihoods, causing important financial losses to autorickshaw, cab, and taxi operators.

– Over 5 lakh autorickshaws operate in Andhra Pradesh, many driven by educated youth relying on this income for survival.
– Individual drivers shared personal struggles, such as difficulty paying monthly instalments and feeding families due to reduced passenger demand.

• Responses:

– Bandhs were observed in multiple locations like bhimavaram, Jangareddygudem (Eluru district), and neighboring areas.
– Drivers organized rallies asking for the withdrawal of the scheme and requesting alternative measures to offset their losses.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The protests by autorickshaw drivers highlight a critical tension between social initiatives aimed at empowering women and transgenders versus the unintended consequences affecting other sections of society. while free bus travel under ‘stree Shakti’ could play a strong role in improving transportation accessibility for certain groups, it also brings forth challenges for auto and taxi operators already grappling with competition from app-based services like Ola and Rapido.

This situation underscores the importance of balancing welfare schemes with economic safeguards for impacted groups. It may be constructive for policymakers to engage directly with affected communities-such as through compensation packages or alternate livelihood programs-to mitigate potential economic hardships while retaining inclusive goals. A well-considered dialog appears essential to align long-term social empowerment objectives with broader economic stability.

Read more at The Hindu