Sat Nov 15 15:06:45 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

Vijayawada Auto Drivers Protest Unfulfilled Promises of Financial Aid

Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh – November 15, 2025 – Members of the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) Auto Workers’ Union staged a protest at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada today, demanding that the TDP-led NDA government honor its election promises of financial assistance to autorickshaw and cab drivers.

According to IFTU Auto Workers’ Union president D. Srinivasa Rao, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has failed to deliver on his pledge of ₹15,000 per year to eligible drivers. While approximately 843,659 auto and cab drivers operate in Andhra Pradesh, Rao alleged that only 290,000 have received assistance under the Vahana Mitra scheme, leaving over 553,659 drivers without support. He estimates the government should have disbursed ₹1,200 crore, but has only released ₹400 crore to date.

IFTU State general secretary K. Polari accused the government of hypocrisy, noting that despite criticizing the previous administration for taking on debt, the current coalition has accrued ₹2.2 lakh crore in loans in just 18 months. He also criticized the government for continuing to impose heavy penalties on drivers, echoing claims made during the previous YSRCP government.

Protesters further demanded the formation of a welfare board for auto motor workers’ families and called for a reduction in petrol, diesel, and gas prices.

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