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

Mangaluru, Nov 17: In the wake demand for hike in auto rickshaw fares, a meeting was convened by deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim at his office here on Tuesday November 17 to discuss the issue. The meeting saw the participation of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials, auto rickshaw drivers, union leaders, social activists and the general public.

Presently, the minimum auto fare is Rs 23 for the first 1.5 kilometres and Rs 13 for every kilometre thereafter. Auto drivers can charge one-and-half-times the normal fare between 10 pm and 5 am. President of Auto Drivers’ Horata Samiti Yadav Maroli said that the hike in rates of groceries, spare parts of auto rickshaws and other commodities had been taking a toll on them and hence a hike in auto fare was necessary.

"We earn around Rs 600 a day, out of which Rs 200 has to be handed over to the auto owner, and another Rs 200 goes on fuel. We need to spend a minimum of Rs 100 on our food which we have in hotels. End of the day, we are left with only Rs 100 which is not enough to run our families, pay bills and look after our children’s education. Out of 20 spare parts used in an auto rickshaw, prices of 14 have increased considerably," he said.

Social activist Hanumanth Kamath pointed out that the price rise in daily commodities had also affected the general public and not only the auto drivers, and said that a hike in auto fares would burden the public even more. He also complained that out of about 6,000 auto rickshaws running in the city, over 600 still charge Rs 25 as minimum fare, but the police had turned a blind eye to the issue.

After hearing the opinions of all concerned, DC A B Ibrahim said that a decision would be taken in a week’s time. He also instructed the RTA to gather adequate information on the matter by then.

SP Dr Sharanappa, assistant RTO G S Hegde, and others were present.