PUNE, Nov 4: The traffic police today booked nearly 50 six-seater automen for not charging fares according to the meter. In a sharp reaction to the police action, the automen took their six-seaters off the roads and parked them in front of the district collector's office in protest.A decision to ban the plying of six-seaters within municipal limits was taken by the State Transport Ministry recently. However, in the light of no implementation orders having been received so far, the Regional Transport Authority has not acted upon the decision.This evening the police initiated action on the six-seaters plying on Yerawada, Vishrantwadi, Khadki and Dapodi routes. The police penalised the automen for not charging fare according to the meter and confiscated their vehicles.As the news of police action spread, other six-seater automen gathered at the district collectorate. When they enquired, they were told by the police that the action was being taken as they were charging fares more than that by meter.The confiscated six-seater autorickshaw will be handed back only if the penalty of Rs. 2,000 was paid, the police told the automen. Protesting against the police action, the automen took their autorickshaws off the road and parked them along the road from district collectorate upto General Post Office and demanded immediate discontinuation of the drive.Speaking to The Indian Express the six-seater automen described the police action as totally unjust and prejudiced. The police on the other hand described their action as routine.
