Published On : Thu, Nov 19th, 2015

HC directs State Govt to take decision on fresh permits to autorikshaws

Advertisement

Autorickshaw_Bangalore

Nagpur: The Hon’ble High Court comprising of Justice Bhushan Gawai and Justice P. N. Deshmukh have directed the State Government of Maharashtra to take decision on issuance of the fresh Autorikshaw permits which were banned by order dated 26-11-1997 in PIL NO:-91/2015 filed by Citizens Forum for Equality a registered NGO through its President Shri Madhukar Kukde.

The NGO has challenged the government resolution / decision dated 26-11-1997 by which the fresh permits to Autorikshaws were banned throughout the state of Maharashtra. The State Transport Commissioner Sonia Sethi in her affidavit filed on 15-10-2015 before the High Court has stated that the “state government” has taken a policy decision to restrict the number of Autorikshaws as 800 to the population of one lakh citizens, but the policy decision to issue fresh permits according to the said ratio is under consideration.

It may be noted that transport commissioner also stated that as on today 9255 valid permits are in operation in Nagpur City. It is informed that registration of private Autorikshaws is stopped since 2012.

According to the petitioner NGO, ban on new permits has resulted in large number of registration of Autorikshaws in private category which are involved in clandestine passenger service. The counsel for petitioner Adv. Tushar Mandlekar has argued that thousands of private vehicles are involved in illegal passenger service and hence there is a necessity to curb these illegal activities. The petitioner NGO has demanded fresh 20,000 permits in city of Nagpur for the better travel facilities to citizens.

After hearing the parties the Hon’ble High Court has directed the state government to immediately take decision regarding the implementation of the policy decision regarding “population to vehicle ratio” {800 auto permits to one lakh citizens} and inform the court within seven days.

It is presumed that the decision of High Court will change the entire scenario in “public transport system” throughout the state of Maharashtra. The beginning of issuance of fresh permits will bring relief to millions of commuters across the state.

Adv. Tushar Mandlekar argued for the petitioner NGO and Adv. Deepak Thakre appeared for State Government, Adv. Rahul Kurekar, Adv. Pandit, Adv. Patil appeared for Autorikshaw associations.