Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N, Chandrababu Naidu drove an autorickshaw wearing a khaki shirt near his residence here on Saturday.
The auto rickshaw drivers met Mr Naidu to thank him for giving exemption from paying life tax. The Chief Minister, while driving an auto rickshaw, stated that he is also a driver, who is driving the state on the development path.
Addressing the auto drivers, Mr Naidu said as a first driver of the state, he had exempted life tax payable under AP Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1963 in respect of three-wheeled contract carriages (passenger auto rickshaws) with seating capacity of four, five, six and seven in all. Three-wheeled goods carriage vehicles up to a gross vehicle weight of 3000 kgs and tractors and tractor-trailers used for agricultural purpose. were also given the sop. The cumulative arrears of motor vehicle tax payable were written off.
Mr Naidu said that he took the decision to protect the interest of auto drivers despite of additional burden of Rs 141 crore to the government exchequer. He said as a result of the decision over 9.79 lakh auto drivers including 5.66 passenger autos will get the benefit. In addition, farmers having 1.82 tractors and 1.45 tractor trailers will get tax remission. The CM assured the pensioners that he will always support them also support the women of Dwcra.
