1. The local media is talking about the impending hike in the rates of hiring of the autorickshaws and the taxis.
The myth.
2. The government and the concerned minister has announced that the new rates would be introduced by the end of this month. The recommendations of the Justice Ramachandran Commission will be the basis for the new rates which are:-
Type Present Proposed
(a) Autos(Minimum) Rs. 15/- Rs. 20/-
(b) Autos(Per km) Rs. 10/- Rs. 11/-
(c) Taxi (Minimum) Rs. 100/- Rs. 200/-
(d) Taxi (Per km) Rs. 10/- Rs. 11/-
(e) A/c Taxi(Minimum) Rs. 120/- Rs. 220/-
(f) A/c Taxi(Per km) Rs. 10/- Rs. 11/-
(g) Luxury vehicles like Innova,
Tavera etc(Per km) Rs. 12/- Rs. 15/-
3. The figures look very nice on paper. The facts on the ground, however, tell a different story.
The fact.
The autorickshaws have been charging a minimum rate of Rs.20/- since the last hike which means it's Rs.5/- more than the then proposed rate. The order that the fares are to be paid by the fare meter on the vehicles are generally ignored and if any customer has the temerity(!) to question the goings on, he's literally asked to 'go, take a walk'! Similar blatant violation of rates for other vehicles exists and usually, the customer who's at the receiving end quietly succumbs to the exploitation.
My take.
I must confess that I too have been allowed to be 'taken for a ride' - very often that too - by this despicable mafia as I use them to run certain pressing errands. Therefore, I really do not have a reason to crib, I understand. But how can the goings on on the ground differ from the government's diktats on the subject? If the police is asked to intervene on the issue, he'll give you that look as if to say, 'Come on, now don't tell me that you're fighting over a paltry Rs.5/-'.
The ordinary citizen is always in the wrong end of the 'heads-I-win-tails-you-lose' sort of a situation vis-a-vis the belligerent autorickshaw/taxi driver mafia.
Tailpiece.
What baffles me is that almost all of these guys come from struggling economic backgrounds and have seen their near and dear ones being subjected to uncouth behaviour, by people providing various services. And surely, that must have saddened or even angered them and logically steeled them to a resolve that they would never heap uncouth behaviour on the customers who depend on them! Therefore, their behaviour is beyond comprehension!!
Or are they giving it back in the same coin to those whom they consider affluent?
The myth.
2. The government and the concerned minister has announced that the new rates would be introduced by the end of this month. The recommendations of the Justice Ramachandran Commission will be the basis for the new rates which are:-
Type Present Proposed
(a) Autos(Minimum) Rs. 15/- Rs. 20/-
(b) Autos(Per km) Rs. 10/- Rs. 11/-
(c) Taxi (Minimum) Rs. 100/- Rs. 200/-
(d) Taxi (Per km) Rs. 10/- Rs. 11/-
(e) A/c Taxi(Minimum) Rs. 120/- Rs. 220/-
(f) A/c Taxi(Per km) Rs. 10/- Rs. 11/-
(g) Luxury vehicles like Innova,
Tavera etc(Per km) Rs. 12/- Rs. 15/-
3. The figures look very nice on paper. The facts on the ground, however, tell a different story.
The fact.
The autorickshaws have been charging a minimum rate of Rs.20/- since the last hike which means it's Rs.5/- more than the then proposed rate. The order that the fares are to be paid by the fare meter on the vehicles are generally ignored and if any customer has the temerity(!) to question the goings on, he's literally asked to 'go, take a walk'! Similar blatant violation of rates for other vehicles exists and usually, the customer who's at the receiving end quietly succumbs to the exploitation.
My take.
I must confess that I too have been allowed to be 'taken for a ride' - very often that too - by this despicable mafia as I use them to run certain pressing errands. Therefore, I really do not have a reason to crib, I understand. But how can the goings on on the ground differ from the government's diktats on the subject? If the police is asked to intervene on the issue, he'll give you that look as if to say, 'Come on, now don't tell me that you're fighting over a paltry Rs.5/-'.
The ordinary citizen is always in the wrong end of the 'heads-I-win-tails-you-lose' sort of a situation vis-a-vis the belligerent autorickshaw/taxi driver mafia.
Tailpiece.
What baffles me is that almost all of these guys come from struggling economic backgrounds and have seen their near and dear ones being subjected to uncouth behaviour, by people providing various services. And surely, that must have saddened or even angered them and logically steeled them to a resolve that they would never heap uncouth behaviour on the customers who depend on them! Therefore, their behaviour is beyond comprehension!!
Or are they giving it back in the same coin to those whom they consider affluent?
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