No hike in auto-rickshaw fare for now: Quader

The communications ministry and the auto-rickshaw owners have agreed not to raise the fare for the time being. "No hike in auto-rickshaw fares for now. The existing rate will remain in force," minister Obaidul Quader said Wednesday after a meeting with the auto owners. The government, however, gave in to the owners' demand to raise the economy-life of an auto-rickshaw to 15 years from the existing 10. The owners’ platform, ‘CNG Auto-rickshaw Malik Samiti Oikyo Parishad’ had earlier called a strike from Tuesday, which was later postponed on Mar 31 upon authorities' assurance to meet their demand. The owners came up with a 5-point demand, which includes a hike in fare, raising the economy life, stopping police harassment, separate parking stands and lowering the income tax, according to bdnews24.com.