Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Feb 19: The meeting held here on Thursday February 19 to decide on the auto fares once again ended in a deadlock. The meeting saw the participation of the Regional Transport Authority officials, deputy commissioner, auto rickshaw drivers, union leaders, social activists and the general public.

The meeting was held following district incharge minister Ramanath Rai's instructions to the RTA to review the revised fares that had been reduced from Rs 25 to Rs 20 minimum charge.

After listening to both sides of the prolonged argument, DC A B Ibrahim announced, "The RTA, after listening to opinions from auto drivers and the general public, will very soon come to a decision after scientifically evaluating the fares."

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the DC said, "We heard several for and against opinons on the revised fares. The RTA will decide after scientifically evaluating the fares."

Social activist Hanumanth Kamath, backing the RTA decision on reducing the minimum fare from Rs 25 to Rs 20, said, "Most of the passengers who travel in auto rickshaws are from the middle class. Fares should not burden the public. If the revised fare continues to be implemented, there will be no loss to anyone."

He also said that many auto drivers are ready to charge Rs 20 as minimum fare but due to ego problem among union leaders, they are not implementing the new fare.

He also said that if the revision was not legally correct, the court would have ordered a stay on the RTA's decision. "Moreover, the RTA has the right to decide the fare. It did so in the interest of public," he added.

Sunil Kumar Bajal, supporting auto drivers said, "In contemporary scenario, cost of living is very high. Auto drivers belong to the unorganized sector and they do not even have social security or security to their lives, still they serve the society. Why is the administration targetting only the auto drivers when the prices of basic commodities have not reduced? Food prices in hotels have not come down, nor fares of city buses. Moreover, 30 of the the auto drivers live in rented houses and they cannot afford a reduction in fares. Hence, the old fares must be re-implemented."

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists alleged that the activists who were speaking in favour of the public were those who travel by cars and bikes. "The general public has not come forward to protest the revised fares," they pointed out.

During the meeting, there was some cacophony after Dayanath Kotian of Forum For Justice declared, "Give us permit to run auto rickshaws, we will do it for Rs 15 as minimum charge."

SP Dr Sharanappa and others were present.