App taxi drivers in Odisha and MP strike for fixed fares

App-based taxi drivers in two states have launched protests demanding government-regulated fares, rejecting the pricing systems of companies such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido.

In Odisha, the Odisha Online Drivers United Forum has called for a state-wide bandh, citing unresolved grievances for 12 years. Forum president Dinabandhu Nayak said 21 smaller union groups support the strike, and odishatv.in reports. Ganeshwar Behera, zonal head, said drivers want a fixed price from the government. In Madhya Pradesh, the Sanyukta Morcha in Bhopal has announced a two-day strike from August 18, taking 3,500 taxis off the road, as per freepressjournal.in. Rajesh Kumar Nagle, general secretary of the Bhopal Taxi Drivers' Association, said current fares barely cover fuel, maintenance and loans.

Both groups accuse aggregator companies of arbitrary pricing and warn of indefinite strikes if demands are not met. The Morcha will hold a sit-in protest in Bhopal on August 19 and submit a memorandum to the chief minister and transport minister.