Mangaluru: The continued impasse over stipulating and implementing the recently notified  auto rickshaw fares seems to be a strategic move on the part of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) at the behest of elected representatives. According to the public, the hands of the RTA headed by the deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim are tied by local elected representatives, when it comes to the implementation of the rates revised on January 9.

Regular autorickshaw users to whom Newskarnataka spoke to, in one voice opined that, the drivers’ attitude towards the revised pricing was unacceptable. The benefits must be passed to the end users as the drivers’ earning were dependent on their passengers, they said. Nitesh, a commuter expressed that he was aghast as to why elected representatives are not pursuing the order to bring down the prices.

Rakesh, another passenger argued that elected representatives were seeing the auto fraternity as their vote bank. This has forced them to interfere in the decisions of the RTA thus making the passengers  bear the brunt of their political motives.

A meeting convened on Thursday, Feb 19 too, remained unsuccessful in trouble shooting the month old deadlock. However the district administration said it would notify scientifically evaluated fares shortly. The meeting witnessed the arrogance of auto drivers successfully silencing the voice of the general public.  

After the  quasi-judicial RTA had passed the revised  fare orders, the drivers blatantly defied it. This was evident within the month; The RTA was unable or reluctant, to take action against the violators, even as a few aired their grievances with the latter.

The district administration succumbing to pressure exerted by a few from the political spectrum has failed to ensure that the Auto drivers pass on the benefits of the fuel rate cuts to passengers.

According to Paschima Karavali Railway Yatri Abhivruddi Samiti President, Hanumanth Kamath, MLC Ivan D’souza backed by district-in-charge minister Ramanath Rai “chained the hands of quasi-judicial body RTA.” The conflict of interest is clearly visible as the MLC  also heads an autorickshaw union.

Taking a dig at political class for lacking the will to provide and support a free hand to the implementing body, he said the the arrogant attitude of auto drivers was due to support of political leaders in the district. When prices of fuel and lubricants were on the increase march, drivers wasted no time in getting fares revised and implemented. “Why are drivers  reluctant to reduce the prices with immediate effect on a  fuel price slump?” he questioned

Though, prices in other places in the state are low in comparison with Dakshina Kannada, the decision of the RTA did not go down well with the drivers.

There also seem to be differences in the district Congress over implementing the rates. J R Lobo, Mangaluru South MLA without referring to any names,  said politicians must not interfere in the decisions. He agreed the prices have to be slashed but after studying all parameters affecting the lives of drivers. “The Quasi judicial body is well within its rights to decide on these matters, and representatives have legal channels to deal with the same, if the decisions were unfair.”

He contended that the RTA cannot be held responsible for the stalemate as they are making maximum efforts, while MLC Ivan squarely put the blame on district administration for mismanagement. Ivan said the district administration did not take all stake holders, including him into confidence, in order to come to amicable terms with the drivers. When questioned on pressurizing the DC and RTA, he denied any such activities.

A few auto drivers,  under the condition of anonymity, said there were unhappy with the revised rates- RS 20 for minimum kilometers (1.5km) and RS 13 per km. They instead demanded that the RTA to go with RS 23 for minimum and RS 13 per KM. The drivers said they were right in thwarting efforts of the RTA to implement the new rates. “The passengers in every meeting stood with the drivers hailing from the middle class and the RTA had no justification for the new rates”, they said.