HC tells govt advocate to get instructions from state on auto

The Madras High Court today directed the government advocate to get instructions from the state on two petitions filed by auto drivers associations to quash a government order fixing a cut-off date to recalibrate the vehicle meters.
Chennai District Auto Drivers Welfare Association and Chennai City Auto Drivers Association contended that pursuant to the enforcement of new fares for autorickshaws, authorities had last passed an order in which, fixing October 15 as the cut-off date for recalibration of the new meters, failing which the permits will be cancelled.
They contended that the order will put the members of associations to serious hardship. They said 74,470 autos are being operated in the city and there are only 39 authorized meter mechanics in Chennai.

As on date, only about 8000 meters alone have been recalibrated and with these many outlets, they were finding it difficult to recalibrate the meters within the cut-off date, it was contended.
The plea came up before Justice KK Sasidharan.