Auto drivers get one month more to submit identity details

The Regional Transport Authority, which has made it mandatory for auto rickshaw drivers to paste their information regarding their identity on their vehicles, have given a month?s extension to drivers to submit their information. The RTA was forced to extend the deadline because of poor response of the auto drivers.

While Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has demanded the state traffic department to compel auto and taxi drivers to stick their identity cards on their vehicles, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in Pune had already taken a decision to that effect last month, but not a single autorickshaw and taxi owner has submitted their identity details since the past one month. The RTO is supposed to issue these cards with the owner?s and driver?s details.

RTA member Baba Shinde said, ?Based on a government circular that was issued in January this year, we had taken a decision and asked auto drivers to paste a detailed information on their vehicle so that passengers will get easy information about them. We had set a deadline of one month to submit the information to RTO. However, since the RTO has not received even a single application, we have to extend the deadline by one more month.?

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Manoj Patil said, ?The RTA had taken a decision last month. However, since the authorities are yet to start the process, we cannot compel and penalise the autorickshaw or taxi drivers in this regard.?

As per the decision, the RTO will issue 6 X 6 inch cards, on which the information about the rickshaw permit holder, driver or drivers (in case the rickshaw is plied by two drivers in shifts), driver?s photo, contact numbers will be displayed. The permit holder of the rickshaw or a taxi will be compelled to drive his rickshaw for a minimum of eight hours everyday, unless the concerned person is physically disabled or a widow.

?If any person, other than the one whose information is submitted to the RTO is found driving the vehicle, the permit can be cancelled by the RTO and traffic police. This decision has been taken considering the increase in crime in the society,? Shinde said.

Meanwhile, the RTO has also stopped issuing metal badges to autorickshaw drivers and started giving identity cards to them that have to be be sported on the chest.