SushantKulkarni; Mon Nov 22 2010,
Pune : City-based Sajag Nagrik Manch has written to the traffic police, seeking an investigation into what it suspects is a thriving scam involving contractors responsible for towing away two-wheelers from “no-parking” areas. Manch members have obtained information on this under the RTI, and claim that it clearly shows that the actual number of two-wheelers lifted is more than what is on record.
Manch president Vivek Velankar on Friday obtained the information from the Pune traffic police, according to which, each tempo engaged by contractors lifts an average of just 12 two-wheelers a day. He had filed the RTI application, seeking information on the number of tempos engaged and the number of two-wheelers lifted from no-parking lots every month since January 2010.
“The figures we received show that in September, 6,985 two-wheelers were lifted in 28 tempos. Suppose, we consider the contractors take a weekly off and work 25 days a month, then in January, an average of just 10 two-wheelers were lifted a day per tempo.”
He said in July the average is even less with just nine two-wheelers lifted a day per tempo. “In January and March it is 14, in February and April it is 13, but again in August it is only 11 two-wheelers lifted per a per tempo.” He said the contractor got Rs 50 towing charge for lifting each two-wheeler. “So if a tempo lifts 12 two-wheelers a day, the contractor will get Rs 600 towing charge a day. Now, on every tempo at least four persons are engaged for lifting two-wheelers and a driver, who are paid Rs 125 to Rs 150 a day... If the contractor earns Rs 600, most of his income will go as payment to them. There are other expenses for fuel and tempo maintenance. So, how does the contractor earn his profit?”
Vishwas Sahasrabuddhe of the Manch said they suspected that the actual number of two-wheelers lifted is more. “It is hard to believe that tempo contractors carry out this business in loss. We wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic) on Saturday for probing the matter and replying to our queries.”
DCP (traffic) Manoj Patil said he would look into the matter. “We are open to complaints and certainly see what can be done. Citizens can also post complaints on our Facebook page.” He said lifting and towing of vehicles had been stopped since October 31 as the contracts had ended. The process for renewal of contracts was on.
A senior traffic police officer said contractors could sustain only if they lifted 25-30 vehicles per tempo a day. A tempo contractor said, “We can only afford to run the business if we lift 30-35 two-wheelers per tempo a day. If luck favours, the number goes up to 50 two-wheelers. We are made to change the zones every week, so that all contractors get to cover prime and non-prime areas.”
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