Madras High Court, after going
through an affidavit filed by the Transport Commissioner regarding implementation of auto fares periodically based on the change of fuel prices, today said authorities have to accept the current calculation made on auto fares should apply from 2016.
" Tereafter, we can consider with what periodicity should the revision take place", the first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana said.
The observation was made on a contempt petition by Coimbatore Consumer Voice seeking to punish the authorities for not implementing the order passed by the High Court on April 30, 2015.
A counter affidavit was filed by the Transport Commissioner, in which he has stated that when the fuel price was Rs.72.27 per litter, the auto fare fixed for the first 1.8 km as Rs 25/ and for every 1 KM Rs 12 and fare to be fixed as per the fuel price as on 01.12.2015 will be Rs.24 for first 1.8 km and Rs.11.50 for every 1km.
The frequent issue of rate chart with every change of petrol price will be highly confusing, the counter said.
It prayed the court that the auto fares may be revised by following the time tested procedure which involves inputs from stake holders, all district Collectors followed by a judicious decision taken by the Government.
The October 30, 2014 order of court had stated that fuel prices should be reviewed once in three months, toll-free numbers should be displayed in auto rickshaws prominently, fare conversion table should also be displayed in the vehicle, name of the driver/owner of the vehicle along with their addresses and photographs should also be displayed on the back side of the driver.
The guidelines further said complaints received on toll-free numbers should be attended to within two days, and a list of drivers/owners guilty of frequent offences should be prepared and action such as cancellation of vehicle licenses should be taken promptly.
These directives should be implemented throughout Tamil Nadu, said the bench.
