In Didi’s favourite colour,taxis that can’t refuse passengers

Among the pre-conditions for getting a permit for the new taxis are ‘No Refusal’ signs painted on both sides of the vehicle

“Also,the owners would have to give an undertaking that they would not participate in any strike. If they fail to comply by these rules,their permits would be cancelled,” Transport Minister Madan Mitra said.

However,the applicants for new permits have found the two pre-conditions a major stumbling block. “I will apply for the permit but what happens if my vehicle is damaged during a strike? I want a written assurance from the Transport Minister that my damages would be adequately compensated,” said Debashish Maiti,a resident of Bhowanipore,who is planning to buy one of the new taxis.

He also termed the no-refusal pre-condition as unfair. “Often there are many risk elements involved. There are times when we have no other option but to refuse a passenger. One must look into our problems as well,” he said.

Another applicant from central Kolkata said even if the government agrees to pay for damages,it would be a lengthy process involving a lot of paperwork.

“Who would estimate the extent of damage? The spare parts of new cars are more expensive than those of the Ambassador cars,” he said.

Referring to non-participation in strikes,he said,“There is always a way out of all the rules.”

The transport minister,however,assured that the government will provide adequate compensation to all such vehicles,which remain on road on a bandh day and get damaged.

Bimal Guha,general secretary,Bengal Taxi Association (BTA) said that taxis would not participate in a bandh called by any political party but when it is to protect the interest of taxi owners and drivers,these vehicles should be allowed to participate.

Meanwhile,Abhishek Banerjee,assistant general manager of a Maruti outlet at Minto Park said the cars would be Maruti Dzire,selected for its comfort and safety. He said the outlet will counsel the buyers on the pre-conditions.

“Buyers would be told that the cars,most of which we presume would be taken on a loan,would become a liability if they are booked for refusing passengers,” he said.

BTA general secretary,Bimal Guha,however,said they get about 20 complaints over the phone everyday of taxi refusal,but there is not much they can do unless it is in writing. “The rule is to write to the assistant director of the Public Vehicles Department (PVD) and marking a copy to us,” said Guha.

A senior PVD official said that they get about eight written complaints every week. “We lock the data of the vehicle,which means its tax papers,permit and certificate of fitness cannot be renewed. We then call the complainant and the taxi owner or driver for a hearing on the case. In some cases the driver’s license is suspended for six months,” he said.

Taxi owners complain that often the drivers abandon such “locked” vehicles and take up another taxi and so police should impose a spot fine .

Lalbazar officials of the traffic department said they received over 200 complaints of taxi refusal last year. “We summoned the owner and the driver and imposed a fine of Rs 100 in each case,” said an official of the Traffic department,Lalbazar.