Mangaluru, February 19: The RTA meeting was held to review the revised fares that had been brought down from Rs 25 to Rs 20 minimum charge on Thursday February 19th has ended in a dilemma.
Sunil Kumar Bajal, supporting the auto drivers said, cost of living has gone very high in the current state. Auto drivers do not even have social security or security to their lives, still they serve the society.
He queried that when the prices of basic commodities have not brought down, why does the RTA target the auto drivers? 30 percent of the auto drivers live in rented houses and they cannot afford a reduction in fares. Hence, he expressed that the old fares be re-implemented.
Social activist Hanumanth Kamath, supporting the RTA decision on reducing the minimum fare
from Rs 25 to Rs 20, said, majority of the commuters who board auto rickshaws are from the middle class. Fares should not burden the public. If the revised fare continues to be implemented, it will be fair to all.
He further said, if the revision was not legally correct, the court would have stayed on the RTA’s decision.
DC A B Ibrahim after listening to the opinions expressed by auto drivers and the general public in the meet, announced that the RTA, will soon arrive at a decision after scientific analysis of the fares.
Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, SP Dr S D Sharanappa, officials of Regional Transport Authority, the general public’s, auto rickshaw drivers, union leaders, and social activists were present during the meeting.
