App-Based Taxi, Auto Drivers Announce Nationwide Strike on Saturday

• App-based taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers' union calls for a day-long nationwide strike on Saturday, February 7.
• The strike aims to protest 'illegal' bike taxi services and 'arbitrary' fare policies by aggregators like Ola, Uber, and Rapido.
• Drivers are demanding redressal for grievances related to the mandatory installation of panic buttons, citing financial burden.
• The union claims the Maharashtra government declared 70% of central-approved panic button providers unauthorized, forcing drivers to reinstall devices at a cost of Rs 12,000.
• Concerns also include income loss due to increased auto-rickshaws under open permit policy and lack of insurance for illegal bike taxi accident victims.