Bombay HC asked where could people file complaints againts erroneous auto drivers.
Questioning the lack of safety measures in place for auto commuters, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the government about its priorities. It asked whether providing facilities was important or imposing conditions on auto rickshaw drivers like knowing Marathi language.
A division bench of Justices A S Oka and Anuja Prabhudessai started dictating order on a petition filed by the Mira Bhayander Auto Rickshaw Chalak Sangathan challenging a circular issued by the government to RTOs in 2016.
As per the circular from November 1, 2016, permits for new auto rickshaws will be given only to those applicants who can speak Marathi. Exception is to those who already have valid permits. The condition was imposed under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules.
The bench said rules under the Motor Vehicle Act also imposes several other conditions like the drivers cannot refuse any passengers and should behave decently. “What about these conditions? Are they also strictly complied with? What should the state government’s priority be? Should emphasis be on protection to common man or knowledge of a language?" Justice Oka asked.
The court also sought to know if any grievance redressal mechanism has been set up for passengers to file complaints against errant auto drivers. "Is there any WhatsApp number or mobile app where people can file complaints? Suppose somebody wants to file a complaint against a driver who is behaving in an odd manner; what immediate protection is given?" the court said.
The petitioner has argued that imposing the condition of knowing Marathi language while issuing badges to auto-rickshaw drivers was still understandable but while issuing permits, it did not make sense as in some cases, the permit is taken by the owner of the auto rickshaw who then rents it out to somebody else to drive.
Order is likely to be completed on Wednesday.
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