'Won't display IDs'

Say city's taxi and auto rickshaw unions, after state transport authorities obligated drivers to put up photo identities in vehicles to make them accountable

Even as the state has mandated the display of photo identities of cab and auto rickshaw drivers, it seems to have overlooked the fact that Mumbai's auto rickshaw and taxi unions are no pushovers.

The unions have condemned the obligatory display outright, saying that they will not comply with the state's "unreasonable" terms.



After protests and boycotts by citizens for errant cabbies refusing them a ride or behaving rudely, state transport authorities insisted that all black-and-yellow cabs display the identities, in the same way private cabs do.
u00a0
The new practice, to be effective before the month's end, is meant to facilitate commuters and RTO officials to take stringent action against errant drivers.

However, it is not going to be a walk in the park for the authorities. Both, the general secretary of Mumbai Taximen Union, A L Quadros, and leader of Mumbai Autorickshaw-Taximen's Union, Sharad Rao, are dismissive of the proposed rule, saying it may lead to identity thefts.

Quadros called the move thoughtless. "The very idea of displaying the details of the driver on the back of the front seat is not acceptable to us. There is no application of mind by the authorities. The possibility of the identity being stolen or damaged by passengers sitting behind cannot be ruled out."

After former transport minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil mooted the idea to make the drivers more accountable, detailed discussions between former state transport secretary Sangeet Rao and transport officials led to the green signal for the display.
u00a0
Said Rao, "We have been working on the concept for a few months. The drafting has been done. Such display is important from the security point of view. Every passenger should know the identity of the person behind the wheels."

At the ready

Meanwhile, State Transport Commissioner Dilip Jadhav is waiting for the final word to go ahead with the implementation.

"We are awaiting the finalisation minutes copy from the state government. It is expected in the next two days or so.
u00a0
On receipt of the minutes, all the RTO's in Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) will be instructed for ground level implementation before it is passed on to other parts of the state.
u00a0
This is already a practice adopted by cabs the world over. We are implementing it now."

Jadhav justified the move by citing citizens' complaints. "We have been receiving complaints from the public about errant cabbies and auto drivers for refusal or misbehaviour.
u00a0
But usually when action has to be initiated, either the commuters fail to identify the driver or the driver denies involvement. With the new system in place the scene would be different," explained Jadhav.

When Quadros heard of the commissioner's reasoning, he came up with a left-field alternative. "These days people carry camera mobile phones, if they find that the driver is misbehaving they can click the photograph of the driver for making complaints."

But the commissioner in strong words said that penal action would be initiated against cab/auto owners if they fail to comply with the norm.

Union leader Sharad Rao, presently hospitalised, was not available for comment.

In his absence Shankar Salvi, General Secretary of Mumbai Autorickshaw and Taximen's Union, said, "We condemn the idea of the state government to introduce such a system. They should have involved us before taking any such decision."

He added that it was impracticable for autos to do that. "Unlike taxis, which can be locked, an auto is open and it is easy for anybody to steal the identity display on the rear seat. Our union will not agree to this."

Mustu00a0Do

As per rules, the identity details have to be displayed, at the back of the front seat, in a manner that makes it easy for the passengers to read the details.u00a0 If the vehicle is plying in different shifts, every driver will have to display the details.

Madhukar Jadhav, Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Tardeo, said, "The display will be printed in English and in Marathi on the reverse side.
u00a0
Its size would be 6 by 6 inches and it will include details like cab number, driver's name, his license number, and other basic information.

Also the RTO help line numbers will be printed on it, so that the passengers could phone us in emergency. This will help identify the driver."

Penalty
Those found guilty of not displaying the identity during the surprise checks will be fined under Section 177 of Motor Vehicle Act. A fine of u00a0Rs 200 will be imposed on them.

2,040
No of complaints RTO received against errant cabbies since April 2010