Free bus scheme: Two autorickshaw drivers die by suicide taking toll to 17
The death toll rose to 17 with two more autorickshaw drivers committing suicide allegedly due to distress caused by the free bus scheme for women implemented by the Revanth Reddy’s Government.
HYDERABAD: The death toll rose to 17 with two more autorickshaw drivers committing suicide allegedly due to distress caused by the free bus scheme for women implemented by the Revanth Reddy’s Government.
The latest victim was Tallapalli Kiran (31) a resident of Yellapuram village of Gangapuram mandal of Mahbubnagar district. With the free bus scheme usurping his livelihood and unable to repay debts he consumed pesticide and died. His wife Ashvini and two children were in shock and grieving.
On Saturday, another young auto driver committed suicide due to financial difficulties in Hyderabad. Nimmagalla Naresh (23) of Durga Nagar under Nacharam Police Station committed suicide by hanging from a fan at home. The family members said that Naresh was unable to find work from the day the free bus service was implemented and they were facing financial difficulties.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Auto Drivers JAC declared an autorickshaw bandh on February 15, to highlight the plight of the autorickshaw drivers. The JAC was demanding Rs 5 lakh financial assistance of a hike in base fare to provide succour to the autorickshaw drivers.