RTO picks on only 198 striking drivers in Mumbai

While more than 1 lakh autorickshaw drivers in the suburbs allegedly supported the strike on Monday, show cause notices were served and threat of permit cancellation issued to only 198 drivers in the western suburbs by the Western Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Andheri on Monday evening. 

Are the authorities hiding their failure to prevent the strike by targeting a small section of rickshaw drivers affiliated with the union? While the union and transport analysts certainly think this is the case, transport authorities claim otherwise.

Assistant general secretary of the Mumbai Autorickshawmen’s Union, Shashank Rao said, “I have been told that most drivers who have been issued those notices are affiliated with our union. Of course, that is not surprising. Striking for their livelihood is the drivers’ fundamental right. We will respond to each of those notices. The union has a legal team to help its members.”

Transport analyst Ashok Datar feels the face-saving gesture is yet another example of the transport department’s poor and indecisive enforcement methods. “It is just a form of tokenism. Like all government departments, it shows a lack of decisiveness,” he said.

Deputy RTO Bharat Kalaskar said, “The show cause notices have been served under section 86 of the Motor Vehicles Act as it was a breach of permit conditions committed by the drivers. We have limited manpower and have tried to catch as many offenders as possible.”

Another RTO official from Western RTO, who requested anonymity, said, “It is unfair to say that we are trying to hide our inability to prevent the strike by targeting a section of drivers. Taking action against a small number of drivers now will ensure that they think twice before striking next time.”