Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Nov 8: Members of Udupi District Taximen and Maxicab Association (UDTMA) staged protest in front of RTO office, Manipal here on Tuesday, November 7 demanding the cancellation of installation of speed governors for old vehicles.
Raghupati Bhat, former MLA and president of UDTMA addressing the protestors said, “According to the high court’s verdict, the state government has passed an order to install speed governors in old taxis. This rule should not be applicable for private taxis. The owners of taxis and maxi cabs are already suffering due to the increase in the price of fuel, road tax, insurance premium and spare parts. Poor taxi drivers will be burdened under these high cost speed governors.”
“A speed governor costs Rs 15,000, but is available for Rs 3000. It is a plan to make money. If the concerned department does not withdraw the order, taximen and maxi cab drivers will hold hunger strike. There are 4000 taxis and maxi cab drivers working in the district,” he added.
The protestors, after a couple of hours, decided to submit a memorandum to the RTO officer. Instead of the RTO, the ARTO came to receive the memorandum. The protestors demanded the RTO to come to receive the appeal. After some discussion with the ARTO, the RTO himself came out. The protestors urged the RTO to cancel the order.
The RTO succeeded to convince the protestors. He informed them that he would write a letter to the state government regarding the tie-up with other companies. Convinced with RTO, the protestors dispersed from the place.
Ramesh Kotian Katapady, general secretary, Prakash Adiga, treasurer, Ramesh Poojary, Lio Fernandes and others were present.