Hyderabad, Aug. 23 -- Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Sunday, August 23, urged auto drivers to call off the strike, assuring that the government will constitute a committee to assess the fare hike.

Prabhakar said the government would set up a welfare board for auto drivers and provide financial assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh to each driver for switching to electric auto rickshaws. "The government aims to replace existing auto rickshaws with electric autos in Hyderabad in a phased manner," he said.

"We are aware that the auto rickshaw fares have not been revised since 2012. We will constitute a special committee to examine a fare hike, taking into account the rising prices of petrol, diesel, and vehicles, as well as maintena...