Karnataka mulls over ban on maxicabs

The recent accident in Tumkur which claimed the lives of 18 maxicab passengers has forced the state government to consider banning vehicles in the state.

The transport department has suspended two officers for dereliction of duty in connection with the accident.

 “The rising number of accidents involving maxicabs has made the state government look at the issue seriously. Most of the time, they are overcrowded and speeding,” transport and home minister R Ashoka said on Wednesday.

A delegation led by Tumkur MLA Shivanna recently submitted a memorandum demanding a ban on maxicabs in Tumkur, and the transport minister acceded to this request. Mandya district is next on the transport department’s radar with complaints pouring in.

 “We have already seized 25 maxicabs. But it is a sensitive issue as over 10,000 families are dependent on maxicabs for their livelihood. It is difficult to impose an impromptu ban. We will convene a meeting of people’s representatives to deliberate,” the minister said.

Many maxicab operators obtain freight carrying licences, and then fix seats in the vehicles to ferry people, the minister said. Ashoka admitted that poor public transport is what offered the space for maxicabs. “Officials have been instructed to extend bus services to all villages,” he said.

Saving the orderlies
The state government was aware of the grievances of police constables working as orderlies in the houses of senior police officers and action would be taken against any officer heaping humiliation on them violating the guidelines in this regard, Ashoka said, replying to a question on the  working conditions of policemen serving as orderlies.