Autorickshaw protest ends, but dispute over fare persists

MANGALURU: Autorickshaw unions withdrew their stir on Friday, but the dispute over fare still persists.
Autorickshaws were off the roads after the unions commenced an indefinite stir from Wednesday.
On Friday, union leaders declared that they were withdrawing the strike after the district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai agreed to have a meeting to discuss their woes on Monday.
The Mangaluru Taluk Autorickshaw Chalakara Sangha, Dakshina Kannada Jilla Autorickshaw Chalaka – Malakara Okkoota, Dakshina Kannada District Auto Chalakara Sangha, CITU and other organizations are opposing the fare revision made by the Dakshina Kannada Regional Transport Authority (RTA).
As per the fare revision that came into force on January 12, the minimum fare has been reduced to Rs 20 (for 1.5km) from the earlier Rs 25. The additional per km fare, which was Rs 14 earlier, has also been reduced to Rs 13.
On Friday, deputy commissioner (DC) AB Ibrahim, superintendent of police SD Sharanappa and Mangaluru RTO Afzal Ahmed Khan held an RTA meeting with the stakeholders to discuss autorickshaw stir. The meet had witnessed heated discussions with auto drivers, who insisted that they stick to the old fares.
Ibrahim, who is also the chairman of RTA, said the fare was revised, based on the slash in the prices of LPG and petrol.
“The price of auto LPG has seen a dip of 41% and the rate of petrol too has been slashed by 19% after the last fare revision implemented in January 2014. However, we have now reduced the auto fare only by 7%. Therefore, all drivers and owners should adhere to the fare revision. We will have a look into the fare revision after three months. We ensure that the fare will revised if fuel prices fluctuate. Meanwhile, all autorickshaw owners will be given three months time for meter calibration,” the DC announced. He told reporters that the revision was made scientifically, taking into account the fuel price, spare parts and other commodities.
“They may challenge the decision of RTA in court or in any other forum. If autorickshaw drivers and owners continue their stir, the district magistrate notification with regard to plying of rural autorickshaws in city will be reviewed,” the DC added.
Meanwhile, by evening, the autorickshaw union leaders declared the withdrawal of stir. Mangaluru Taluk Autorickshaw Chalakara Sangha president B Vishnumurthy said, “Autorickshaws will continue to ply. However, the drivers will continue to stick to the old fares.”
All auto drivers must adhere to the revised fare. We ensure that fares will revised if fuel prices fluctuate.
Autorickshaw owners will be given three months time for meter calibration.