Acknowledging the role auto-rickshaw drivers played in his party?s victory in the Assembly elections, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced sops ranging from annual fare revision to easing of rules for GPS installation.
Any auto driver, on his way home at night, can now refuse a commuter.
Drivers will have to put up display boards showing ?No service? if they are headed home. ?If you are going home in the evening, put up a placard with your route on it and you will not be challaned for refusing commuters,? Kejriwal told an auto drivers? rally at Burari.
On April 1 every year, the government will revise auto fares. ?There are nearly 80,000 auto-rickshaws in the capital. If inflation increases, auto fares will be hiked. If inflation declines, fares will be reduced by the government,? he said.
Kejriwal also promised to have a system in place where complaints regarding auto-rickshaws can be registered.
?The helpline ? 42-400-400 ? will soon be up. Any dispute between a driver and commuter will be sorted out by calling both parties on the spot,? he said.
Kejriwal reminded auto-drivers that overcharging and refusal to take passengers earn public ire. ?Please never misbehave with customers. They are your god,? he said.
He said autos would be seized only when they do not have a permit, licence or fitness certificate.
?Under rule of 66\92 A, traffic police can seize autos if the driver is not wearing a uniform and other minor violations. From now, traffic police will only seize autos if the driver doesn?t have his licence, fitness certificate or permit,? he said.
On the issue of installing GPS in auto-rickshaws, Kejriwal said his government has made it optional for drivers to buy the GPS device separately. He also told auto drivers to record the conversation if any policeman demands a bribe. ?Just turn on the recorder in your phone and come to me. You don?t have to pay a bribe for getting a licence, badge, permit and recalibration of metres,? he said.
