HC's green signal to Maha for auto, taxi fare hike

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to interfere in the Maharashtra government's move to hike fares of taxis and autorickshaws based on the recommendation of the now-scrapped Hakim Committee.

The HC order meant that the government can start from Thursday the process of recalibrating e-meters of autos and taxis in Mumbai and its metropolitan region.

A division Bench of Justices NH Patil and SB Shukre rejected the interim relief sought by consumer body 'Mumbai Grahak Panchayat' to stay the proposed hike until the newly-formed panel, to be headed by a retired high court judge, submitted its report. The consumer body had also raised objections to the recommendations of the Hakim Committee in the past. 

"The state government has already taken a decision and has also appointed a new committee to look into the Hakim committee report. We are not inclined to interfere at this stage. <g data-gr-id="16">Interim</g> relief sought is rejected," the court said.

The minimum fare for autos is expected to go up from Rs 17 to Rs 18 while taxi fare is likely to go up from the minimum Rs 21 to Rs 22.