Autorickshaw licence quota puts govt in a fix

The Delhi government is in a catch 22 situation over providing quotas while issuing autorickshaw licences. Citing pollution, the Supreme Court had ruled that there will be no new registration of autorickshaws and their number would be restricted to 55,000.

However, in a bid to provide relief to commuters, the apex court in November 2011, lifted its ban and allowed 45,000 new autos to be added to the existing fleet. The Delhi government, before issuing fresh licences, reserved some for drivers belonging to scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and other backward classes.

However, with not too many takers in these categories, the government now wants to reverse its orders. But with elections round the corner, an order reversal will give the opposition an opportunity to politicise the issue.

“Fearing that the opposition will blow up the issue as it involves people from the SC, ST and OBC sections, a decision on rolling back the order has been put on hold,” said a senior officer of the transport department. Eyeing minority votes, the state government had reserved 49.5% of the total autorickshaw licences for the backward classes. It had decided to issue 35,000 licences, out of which 17,500 licences were to be reserved for the the marginalised section.

“Ironically we received only 1,000 applications from the reserved categories,” added the official. “If we go to the court seeking a further increase in the number of autos, the court is going to direct the government to first allot the remaining licences and then apply afresh.” While 17,500 autos were given to drivers in the general category, there still is a long waitlist for takers in this category.