Autorickshaw drivers protest outside Veerappa Moily's residence

NEW DELHI: Autorickshaw drivers today held a protest outside the residence of Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily, demanding immediate rollback of the hike in CNG prices.

The demonstrators, some of whom were wearing Aam Aadmi caps, reached Moily's Tughlak Lane residence this afternoon, raising slogans and demanded roll back of the hike in CNG prices. They staged a sit-in at the entry gate of Moily's residence.

Earlier, the autorickshaw drivers had threatened to go on strike, demanding revision of fare in the wake of hike in prices of CNG that fuels public transport on Delhi roads.

Delhi's new Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Friday questioned the move by the Centre to hike CNG prices when his government was about to assume power. He had also suggested that autorickshaw fares in the national capital may be revised as a result of the steep increase.

He had also said that he would examine the files and also ask the Centre about the reason for its haste in increasing the prices.

A significant section of auto drivers had extended support to AAP in the election. Kejriwal had also asked them not to go on strike while promising to examine the issue.

The CNG or compressed natural gas price in the national capital was on Thursday hiked by a steep Rs 4.50 per kg, the second increase in rates in three months.