Jammu, 01 July (H.S.): The operators/ owners of the E-autorikshaws in Jammu today strongly opposed the orders of the Regional Transport authorities and alleged that directives with regard to installations of fare-meters was not justified.

Talking to media-persons here today, president of the E-autorikshaw Union, Gaurav Kapoor said that recent directives of the RTO Jammu claiming that Transport authorities would install electronic meters to keep check on the alleged overcharging by the e-auto operators from the passengers.

Kapoor said the Union was not against the installation of meters in the auto-rikshaws but the claim of the Regional Transport authorities to fix Rs 20 for one kilometer and subsequent additional rate per km not justified as they are going to keep operation of the e-autorikshaws zone wise, which is very limited.

He claimed that Jammu City is confined hardly within 2 or maximum two and half kms of radius and then keeping them in a particular zone is a mockery of the system. Where they will operate, the authorities must tell the Union.

Kapoor further claimed that fare-meters are easily available in Delhi for Rs 700 to 750 per piece but here in Jammu, the dealers are charging Rs 2500 to Rs 3000. The Government should provide the meters on reasonable rates if it is really interested on taking such a step. He said the concerned companies should have pre-installed such meters with the e-autos and Government must pass on directions to them. The Union described this step of the Transport authorities as unjustified and unfair and appealed to the Transport Commissioner J&K to review his decision.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar