Very little public sympathy for autorickshaw drivers' strike

Very little public sympathy for autorickshaw drivers' strike

The Hindu

Police encourage some to demand excess fare, say drivers


BANGALORE: While most of the 80,000 autorickshaws will be off the road on Thursday in protest against what they perceive as "harsh" regulations imposed on them by the Government, very few people sympathise with autorickshaw drivers.

Autorickshaw drivers in Bangalore are joining the nationwide strike called by various trade unions to protest against the anti-farmer and anti-worker policies of the Government.

The main grouse of local autorickshaw drivers is the recent inclusion of eight clauses in Vehicle Permit Conditions by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Bangalore.

These conditions include parking at designated places in a queue; taking the shortest route; refraining from taking a third-party; not demanding excess fare; using only the recommended fuel or LPG kit; updating address in RC books within 30 days and changing ownership records within 14 days and not refusing to ply without "valid reasons."

Violations of any of these conditions attract a fine of Rs. 2,000 and subsequent violations would attract fine up to Rs. 10,000 and imprisonment up to one year. Some drivers are also opposed to the recently introduced lane-system for autorickshaws.

Police blamed

Lakshman, a member of Autorickshaw Drivers' Union (ARDU) affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU), alleged that traffic police constables encourage drivers to demand excess fare and not ply on certain routes.

He said very few autorickshaws were available at the pre-paid counters at bus stations and railway stations as constables on duty allow autorickshaws to park beyond the counters. Those not at the counter collect excess fare after paying "mamool" to these constables, he alleged.

Rudra Murthy, ARDU vice-president, told The Hindu that autorickshaw drivers were at the receiving end for all kinds of traffic rules violations. The traffic police and the transport department officials allow maxicabs and tourist buses to ferry passengers though it is a serious violation of permit conditions. Most people are not sympathetic towards autorickshaw drivers and feel that the amended rules should strictly be enforced. Nagamani Rao, who regularly commutes by autorickshaws, said she was refused a ride many a time by the drivers. "They have become a law unto themselves and need to be taught a lesson," she said. The traffic police, however, said they are yet to enforce the amended rules. "We are still educating the drivers about the new rules and have not booked any case," said M.N. Reddi, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic). It is not a new law as perceived by autorickshaw drivers, Mr. Reddi said and added that the RTA had only imposed these additional permit conditions, which are found in the Motor Vehicles Act. Autorickshaws are permitted to ply for public convenience and inconvenience to the public should severely be dealt with.