Kejriwal opposes minimum qualification for auto-rickshaw licence

Terming as absurd the law mandating Class 8 as the minimum qualification for granting licence to auto-rickshaw drivers, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday urged the central government to abolish a clause of the Motor Vehicles Act 2007, saying it would be misused to harass them.

"You don't need a certificate to read road signs or traffic signals, which are common even for those who do not have formal schooling," Kejriwal said at a rally of his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) organised at a school ground here.

Kejriwal, who is in city since January 27 for naturopathy treatment at a private hospital, said he would soon write to union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to scrap the clause by amending the Act.

"Our prime minister (Narendra Modi) should learn about 'ease of doing business' from common people like auto drivers and not tycoons like Ambanis or Adanis," Kejriwal said in Hindi, addressing hundreds of auto-rickshaw drivers.

Thousands of auto-rickshaw drivers have been protesting against the new rule that mandates Class 8 as the minimum qualification for licence to ride a three-wheeler.

Assuring the aggrieved drivers of his party's support to their demand, Kejriwal said he too did not have a Class 8 certificate though he had graduate degrees.

According to a party statement, about 25,000 auto-rickshaw drivers from across the city have already signed a petition to abolish the controversial clause.