CHENNAI: Revise auto-rickshaw fares periodically considering the fluctuating fuel prices, and put in place a software to do the job automatically, the Madras high court has suggested to the Tamil Nadu government.
“(This must be done) without evolving a long-drawn process, but by using a software in such a manner where the rates may be revised, thereby, upgrade the system/mechanism automatically on the meters,” the first bench of Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy said on Friday.
The court passed the order on a plea moved by advocate S V Ramamurthy seeking to implement a government order dated August 25, 2013 providing for such fare revision. The GO was issued in view of a direction of the Supreme Court.
When the plea came up for hearing, advocate-general R Shunmugasundaram submitted that in compliance with the GO, action had been taken and presently, all auto-rickshaws had electronic meters, but without printers.
He said state was in the process of installing GPS devices or to make a consolidated equipment which may have meters with GPS. It may be made available through a mobile application.
Opposing the same, the petitioner contended that even if auto-rickshaws are fitted with electronic meters they do not operate the same, rather, they demand charges as per their sweet will.
Pointing out that the presence of taxi aggregators like Ola and Uber are also affecting the fair opportunities of auto-rickshaws, the petitioner said those vehicles are also fitted with meters and are working. Whereas, in the auto-rickshaws, though meters may have been installed, it is not being operated or it would not work, he added.
Recording the submissions, the court said, “the state may revise the fares/rates of the auto-rickshaws periodically, looking at the fluctuation of the rates of petrol/diesel.”
“A mechanism for revision of rate to the benefit of the autorickshaw holders and also the public/passenger may be evolved by the respondent in appropriate manner,” the court said and disposed of the plea.
