Mangaluru: Stalemate between RTA and auto drivers continues

Mangaluru, Feb 3: With the auto-rickshaw drivers in the city banking on the assurances of Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai, the auto-rickshaw union leaders have yet again refused to budge on the issue of revision of fares and collect revised fares from passengers in Mangaluru.

Standing firm in his decision to implement revised fares in a clandestine meeting with the union leaders and related officials on Sunday, Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said that since Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts had the highest fare compared to other districts in the state. Moreover, with significant decrease in prices of petrol, diesel and LPG in the state, no injustice will be caused to auto drivers with the revised auto fares, he said, justifying the revision.

He explained the auto fares were not being slashed, but the previous order by the district administration to increase the auto fares when there was a hike in fuel prices was merely being withdrawn. In the meeting, he also informed of the auto fares in various others cities in the state such as Bengaluru, Shimoga, Hassan, Belgavi and Mumbai and Kasargod that were much lower than the fares in Mangaluru and Udupi.

Although Minister Rai advised the deputy commissioner to revise the fares to their original tariff in the meeting, Mr Ibrahim remained firm in his stance to implement revised rates for the auto-rickshaws.

In a meeting with regional transport authority (RTA) officials on January 12, the auto fares had been brought down from a minimum of Rs 25 to Rs 20 and an additional Rs 13 for every kilometre after that. However, the auto drivers refused to collect revised rates for several days. Without any positive response from the district administration, the auto-rickshaw drivers had stayed off roads for three days protesting against the implementation of the revised fares, and resumed services only after the minister assured them of meeting their demands.

Despite the order of the deputy commissioner, the auto union leaders want no changes in the fare structure, irrespective of decrease in fuel prices or public complaints. This stalemate is likely to continue for a couple of weeks more, till the RTA convenes another meeting till February 20.

Currently, the district minister proposed a fare of Rs 22 as the minimum, but the auto union leaders were adamant in their demand of retaining the current fares.

Mr Ibrahim finally instructed the auto-rickshaw drivers to prove why they could not run the auto-rickshaws profitably with the revised fares, and directed them to submit the figures. The auto drivers will be allowed three months’ time to recalibrate their meters, he informed.

Non-invitation to general public criticised

Speaking at the meeting on Sunday, DYFI district president B K Imtiyaz claimed that the district minister Rai had convened the meeting clandestinely on a holiday to avoid members of the public at the meeting. No invitation had been sent to the people to represent themselves at the meeting. It is sad that the interests of the auto drivers are more important for the district minister than the interests of the people, he criticised, adding that the minister was interfering in the affairs of the RTA.

He urged the deputy commissioner not to retain the current auto fares based on the directive of the district minister.