Times
of India: Aurangabad: Sunday, 12 April 2015.
The
Aurangabad Regional Transport Office (RTO) does not have any record of vehicles
being used on contract by aggregators such as OlaCabs and TaxiForSure plying in
the city, a query filed under Right To Information (RTI) has revealed.
The
federation of various autorickshaw unions in the city had sought information
about these cab services under the RTI Act.
While
disposing of the application, a copy of which is with the TOI, the RTO public
information officer has given in writing that the transport department office
does not have record of registration number of vehicles used on contract basis
for Ola cabs and Taxi For Sure.
Federation
president Nisar Ahmed Khan told ToI on Saturday that he was shocked with the
response given by the RTO to the RTI query. "It is scandalous that RTO
states it does not have any record of vehicles hired on contract by OlaCabs and
TaxiForSure, despite marked presence of these services in the city and nearby
areas. Transport department officials are baised towards enforcing laws on
autorickshaw drivers, who are soft targets," he alleged.
The
federation of autorickshaw drivers had asked whether RTO has given permission
for plying to Ola Cabs and Taxi For Sure in the city for stage carriage, and if
yes, under what terms and conditions. The RTO office, instead of any concrete
information, has simply replied that "no records" were available.
"These
cab services are openly indulging in stage carriage in violation of norms.
These taxis can be seen standing outside railway station and ferrying different
passengers as per stages. As we have been pointing since beginning, many of
these cabs are plying in city limits without proper permits," Khan
alleged.
When
contacted, Aurangabad Regional Transport Officer Govind Saindane said his
office has record keeping system that enables classification of data only on
the basis on vehicle registration number.
"We
cannot figure out number of vehicles registered against the name of any
individual or firm. We do not maintain record in that format. Vehicle
registration number is the sole parameter considered while keeping
records," he said.
On charges
leveled by autorickshaw drivers against radio cabs for indulging in stage
carriage, Saindane said he has not received any complaint in writing so far.
"Upon receiving a complaint, we would ask our flying squads as well as
traffic police to verify the charges and take necessary action," he said.
Nitin Pawar,
state-level leader of autorickshaw drivers and owners, said these cabs cannot
encroach in the areas where autorickshaws have been doing their business
traditionally for many years.
"We will
be soon holding a state-level meeting to discuss the future strategy to counter
these cabs. Delhi government has recently sought to block these radio cabs in
the backdrop of the arrest of a cab driver in a rape case. Other states should
follow the suit," he said.
When
contacted, local representative of OlaCabs asked for media query through
e-mails, which remained unanswered till going to press. Similar e-mail
correspondence to TaxiForSure did not evoke any response as well.
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