RPC demands rollback of private fitness policy for motorists

Andhra Pradesh: Rashtriya Praja Congress (RPC) Founding President Meda Srinivas has urged the government to abolish the private vehicle fitness policy, calling it an exploitative move that burdens self-employed transport motorists and risks sparking large-scale protests from labourers in the sector.

All-party meet highlights motorists’ woes

At an all-party meeting organized by the Joint Action Committee of Transport Motorists at Hotel Anand Regency’s Pandiri Hall, Meda Srinivas sharply criticized both central and state governments for allegedly siding with private companies at the expense of self-employed vehicle owners.

“Governments are enabling financial exploitation by handing over public transport responsibilities to private entities,” Srinivas said.

Private fitness policy harms self-employed motorists

Srinivas argued that the recent privatization of the vehicle fitness certification process has led to increased fees and harassment of motorists, many of whom are already struggling to repay vehicle loans.

“Today’s motorists can’t even afford EMIs. Adding fitness fees and inflated challans only worsens their distress,” he noted.

Call for restoration of government-led fitness system

The RPC demanded that the government immediately abolish the privatized fitness certification system and return to the earlier method of conducting vehicle fitness checks through government-run transport offices.

“The current policy is anti-labor and unjust. The government must revert to the old system,” Srinivas urged.

Protest warning over increased challan fees

The RPC also criticized the hike in challan fees, branding it another blow to struggling vehicle owners. Srinivas warned that continued neglect of motorists’ issues could lead to organized resistance from transport laborers.

“If the harassment of motorists continues, governments must prepare for serious backlash from the labour force,” he cautioned.

Growing support from other parties and motorist groups

The all-party meet drew support from various political and labour representatives, reflecting widespread discontent within the transport sector over privatization and fee increases. The Joint Action Committee has announced plans for future collective actions if the demands are not addressed.