Soaring petro prices will make us take horse carriage: HC

The pinch in the pockets due to an increase in petrol prices has not spared even the Bombay high court judges.

Justice PB Majmudar remarked on Tuesday: "Looking at the rise in petrol prices, we must go to the old system of horse carriages."

The remark was made by the division bench of justice Majmudar and justice RD Dhanuka while hearing a petition filed by the autorickshawmen's union challenging the compulsory fitting of e-meters.

On a lighter note, government pleader replied: "In that case (if horse carriages were used) we will have animal rights activists opposing it."

The bench has asked the Hakim committee to consider permitting advertisements on autos too, like the ones on buses and taxis. The judges asked the auto union to make a representation to the committee on allowing them to put up advertisements. Nargolkar said advertisements are banned on autos as it could distract motorists. "However, under certain conditions, taxis are permitted to display advertisements," said Nargolkar.

As per the Supreme Court directions, the state government had to submit a compliance report on the implementation of a notification dated February 17, that made installation of e-meters mandatory in all autorickshaws in the state.

On Tuesday, the state government told the Bombay high court that since March 1, around 6,500 electronic meters have been fitted in old and new autos.

An affidavit was filed by joint transport commissioner Satish Sahastrabudhe stating compliance of the notification to fit e-meters on all autorickshaws in the state.