Govt teams to straighten auto drivers

“They will cancel the permits of autorickshaw drivers and if need be,we will issue new permits to people who have put in their applications and are waiting in line,” Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said.

He said the demands of the autorickshaw unions were not justified and that the government could not compromise on set norms and the law. “Autorickshaws are here for the convenience of passengers and the government has decided not to succumb to the pressure tactics of autorickshaw drivers. If an individual driver has a problem or is being harassed by our staff despite all papers being in place,strict action will be taken against the official,” Lovely said.

The minister added that in case autorickshaw drivers refused to take passengers,the government will rope in school cabs to take passengers. “But we cannot give into their demands,” he said.

The Transport department has also been asked to set up a helpline within a week. “This is to record customer complaints and grievances and is exclusively for three-wheelers and taxis,” the minister added.