In the wake of reports of irregularities in sale of auto-rickshaws, Delhi government on Wednesday threatened punitive action against authorised dealers of the vehicles if they do not comply with the laid down norms while selling the three-wheelers.
Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami reviewed the issues related to purchase of new auto rickshaws in the capital city with the representatives of autorickshaw dealers.
Asked why government directive on submitting daily report on booking, sales and stock position to the transport department is not being followed, the dealers told Goswami that they could not comply with the order due to certain technical reason.
The Transport department last week had directed authorised dealers of the vehicles to submit daily reports on bookings, sales and stock position. The dealers told the Minister that soon they will submit the report on daily basis to the government.
Goswami also asked the dealers and transport department officials to ensure transparency in issuance of permits and sale of the three-wheelers.
He underlined the need for addition of more and more auto rickshaws in the city keeping in view increasing population.
The Minister told the dealers in plain words that non-compliance of government order would be taken seriously and strict action will be taken against the erring dealers.
The Delhi government has started the process for issuance of 10,000 new permits for auto-rickshaws, almost a year after the Supreme Court allowed plying of more such vehicles in the city.
People having license for driving auto-rickshaw are eligible for getting the permits. Currently, the city has a fleet of around 60,000 auto-rickshaws.
The Supreme Court in November last year had paved the way for plying of one lakh new auto-rickshaws, giving its verdict on an application moved by Delhi Transport Authority in 2002 for lifting a freeze imposed by the apex court in its earlier direction of December 16, 1997.
In 1997, the apex court had directed that there shall be no fresh registration of auto-rickshaws as they were running on two or four-stroke petrol engines contributing to the severe pollution in Delhi. It had, however, permitted that existing autos be replaced by new ones.
Subsequently, the autos were converted into single-fuel CNG-propelled vehicles, but the restriction on the fresh registration resulted in malpractices by the auto-owners and drivers.
However, in December 2002, the court allowed a further increase of 5,000 three wheelers.
Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami reviewed the issues related to purchase of new auto rickshaws in the capital city with the representatives of autorickshaw dealers.
Asked why government directive on submitting daily report on booking, sales and stock position to the transport department is not being followed, the dealers told Goswami that they could not comply with the order due to certain technical reason.
The Transport department last week had directed authorised dealers of the vehicles to submit daily reports on bookings, sales and stock position. The dealers told the Minister that soon they will submit the report on daily basis to the government.
Goswami also asked the dealers and transport department officials to ensure transparency in issuance of permits and sale of the three-wheelers.
He underlined the need for addition of more and more auto rickshaws in the city keeping in view increasing population.
The Minister told the dealers in plain words that non-compliance of government order would be taken seriously and strict action will be taken against the erring dealers.
The Delhi government has started the process for issuance of 10,000 new permits for auto-rickshaws, almost a year after the Supreme Court allowed plying of more such vehicles in the city.
People having license for driving auto-rickshaw are eligible for getting the permits. Currently, the city has a fleet of around 60,000 auto-rickshaws.
The Supreme Court in November last year had paved the way for plying of one lakh new auto-rickshaws, giving its verdict on an application moved by Delhi Transport Authority in 2002 for lifting a freeze imposed by the apex court in its earlier direction of December 16, 1997.
In 1997, the apex court had directed that there shall be no fresh registration of auto-rickshaws as they were running on two or four-stroke petrol engines contributing to the severe pollution in Delhi. It had, however, permitted that existing autos be replaced by new ones.
Subsequently, the autos were converted into single-fuel CNG-propelled vehicles, but the restriction on the fresh registration resulted in malpractices by the auto-owners and drivers.
However, in December 2002, the court allowed a further increase of 5,000 three wheelers.