Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Feb 2: Ramanath Rai, the district in charge minister has advised the deputy commissioner to revise the auto fares again. The deputy commissioner is also the president of the regional transport authority.

The auto fares were revised only in January second week and the auto drivers were told to follow the rates from January 12. But the auto drivers who did not follow the new fare had stopped operating for three days protesting the implementation of new tariff.

When the district administration did not respond positively, they had called off the strike after assurance from the district in charge minister.

A meeting regarding the issue was held at circuit house on Sunday and the deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, RTO and concerned authorities met with the officials from auto associations in the presence of the minister.

“I want the passengers as well as the auto drivers" was what Ramanath Rai had to say in the dispute. But the DC made his stance very clear. He again and again said that the interest of the passengers will be kept in mind. He also stated that no injustice has been done to auto drivers when the revision was made.

DC said that Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts have the highest fare compared to other places in the state. He also gave the data of Mumbai and Kasargod fares which are lower than in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

The DC in his revision had brought down the minimum fare from Rs 25 to Rs 20 which the auto drivers did not follow at all.

Now the DC has told the auto drivers to prove why they cannot charge the revised rate and run the autos profitably. They have to come up with the figures. The DC also said that Rs 10 is sufficient for every kilometre to run autos profitably.