Hyderabad: Auto rickshaw drivers in Telangana protested against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s Mahalakshmi scheme, offering free travel for women and girls on state transport buses. They claimed the scheme was adversely affecting their income and demanded government intervention, seeking financial support or pensions.
Netizens were divided, with some sympathizing with the drivers’ plight while others suggested adopting metered fares. Critics argued that the introduction of the metro rail had already impacted their livelihoods, and the free bus scheme would exacerbate their challenges.
Some netizens contended that the scheme wouldn’t impact drivers, emphasizing the unique advantages of autos in navigating internal roads and providing door-to-door service. The drivers called for the cancellation of the Mahalakshmi scheme to alleviate their financial concerns.