BENGALURU: A couple from KR Pura attempted suicide over alleged harassment by a private finance firm. The Taxi Drivers’ Association has expressed outrage against that private finance company.
Muthu, a resident of KR Pura, had taken a loan of Rs 35,000 to purchase a car worth Rs 7 lakh from a private company. He had agreed to pay Rs 850 daily as repayment. However, due to a dip in business, Muthu was struggling to make ends meet. He had paid Rs 850 every day for 200 days.
Muthu had returned the car to the company, but they refused to refund his Rs 35,000 deposit. Frustrated and desperate, Muthu and his wife attempted to take their own lives.
“The government has fixed a minimum fare for autos, but aggregator companies are not adhering to it. Instead, they prioritize profits, leaving drivers like Muthu struggling to survive”, the association office-bearers said.
“The couple has been married for only two years. Aggregator companies are not charging the rates set by the government to the drivers. While the companies are making profits, they are pushing driver to the streets”, they noted.
Raju, an autorickshaw driver said, “We are not getting customers due to some issues, so the drivers are struggling to make daily earning. We have to depend on loans for fulfill needs. We get income only during peak hours. Muthu changed from autorikshaw to car just because he was not getting income. Not one, but many drivers are suffering and harassed by the private company”.
Family members alleged that there is no business for auto drivers. “It become very tough to pay loans. A person should pay rent, school fee, loans. We are very frustrated without income. So that couple decided to end their lives”, they said.