The decision on hike in taxi and auto fares has been postponed till July 28, with the Bombay high court adjourning the matter.
A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and AS Chandurkar, on Thursday, allowed consumer rights body Mumbai Grahak Panchayat time to amend its public interest litigation to challenge the new proposed fare hike of Rs2.
State officials had on June 20 decided on a fare hike of Rs2 from the current flag down rate of Rs15 for autos. The hike for taxis was also set at Rs 2 from the current Rs 19, to Rs 21.
Accordingly, the govt had moved the HC earlier this month as the fare has been implemented from July 10, as per recommendations of the Hakim Committee.
Advocate general Darius Khambata told the court that a fare hike had been due as the last one had been carried out two years ago, in 2012.
Following a PIL by Mumbai Grahak Panchayat, the HC had stayed the fare hike in 2012. Hence, the govt cannot implement the hike without the HC's permission, to ensure that it is not termed as contempt of court.
Apart from the govt, even the Mumbai Rickshawmen’s Union has approached the HC seeking implementation of the hike as proposed by the Hakim Committee, on the grounds that its members are finding it difficult to sustain themselves.
The autowalas' contention is that the price of compressed natural gas has gone up from Rs33.05 to Rs38.95 a litre, since the last fare hike in October 2012. This has been coupled with a hike in the cost of living, as well maintenance of vehicles, state their application.
The Hakim Committee, which was formed to arrive at a fare structure for autos and taxis that was acceptable to all stakeholders, had recommended that the fares be hiked in May on an annual basis.
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