The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Auto meter tampering attracts public's wrath

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Friday, Nov 03, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Auto meter tampering attracts public's wrath

Staff Reporter

Government move to make digital meters welcomed

BONE OF CONTENTION: Tampered auto meters have drawn flak in recent times. — Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

HYDERABAD: The move by the Government to make digital meters compulsory for auto-rickshaws to check tampering is welcomed by the public in the hope that it would check rampant tampering of meters.

Public anger and resentment against the autorickshaw driver tribe has become so vociferous that they would not buy the argument of the autorickshaw drivers they would stop tampering with the meters if the Government addressed the issues of drivers.

"We hoped that when the Government hiked the minimum fare to Rs.10, autorickshaw drivers would run the meter fairly. But No. The looting continues. Most of the drivers are arrogant and care two hoots even if the passengers threaten to lodge a police complaint," says Kavitha, a bank employee.

"I travel the same distance to my office and back everyday but end up paying Rs. 5 to Rs. 7 more than the normal fare," said Amulya, a working woman.

`We're helpless'

An autorickshaw driver said they were helpless to `set' their meters to earn a couple of rupees from every passenger over and above the normal fare. "The minimum fare is not revised in proportion to increasing fuel cost." But many commuters who depend on autorickshaws fume that the loot is beyond all reason.

"What can we do? We are in turn fleeced by traffic cops. If we don't resort to meter tampering, how can we survive? However regular travellers aware of the normal fare refuse to pay us more and we don't argue," said another autorickshaw driver.

Not alone

"Why blame the autorickshaw drivers alone? The tampering is done with the connivance of Government departments like Weights and Measures, RTA and the police," points out a union leader. The autorickshaw drivers' unions argue that while meter-tampering is an offence, digital meters are no answer. In fact it is easier to tamper a digital meter, they point out. "We want Government to address our concerns and take stern action against those tampering with meters and those aiding them. We are educating our members against tampering," said AP Auto and Taxi Drivers Union (BMS) President S. Raghavendra Rao. But who will address the concerns of those forced to commute by autorickshaws in the absence of adequate public transport and shell out the extra fare day in and day out?

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