Auto drivers fleece swine flu victims and their families
Auto drivers fleece swine flu victims and their families
Auto drivers are making hay while swine flu reigns. They now charge passengers almost double the fare to and from Sassoon and Naidu Hospitals.
Shyam Awghade, whose father succumbed to the flu last week in Naidu Hospital, was overcharged when he took his uncle to the hospital.
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Fleece Fleet? An autorickshaw driver waits for hisu00a0 next passenger near Dr Naidu Hospital yesterday. |
"We were charged Rs 50 for a ride from Ghorpadi to Shastri Nagar, whereas the regular fare is Rs 35. This is so unfair."
Usha Attawal and her mother, who were already harrowed, as her sister Rukhmini Jivadhambe (40) is a suspected swine flu victim, were also overcharged by an auto driver.
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"We were charged Rs 150 to come to Naidu Hospital from Bhopadi, which would normally cost Rs 90," said Attawal.
Families of patients are upset with this situation. Sidram Waghmare (68), whose wife Putlabai (63) has been admitted to Sassoon Hospital, said, "I paid Rs 45 for a ride which would normally cost me Rs 20 to the hospital from Camp." Ram Thumra (20), who came to the hospital from Rajguru Nagar, voiced a similar concern.
Nana Kshirsagar, president of Maharashtra Rickshaw Sena, said, "This is not right and we will take necessary action to curb this practice."
Even those who work at the hospitals are not spared. "I paid Rs 50 to come to Naidu Hospital from Koregaon Park, and it is all because of the swine flu.
The normal fare is Rs 35," said Suman Khare, a sweeper at the hospital.
When a MiD DAY reporter hailed an auto outside Naidu Hospital, the driver quoted Rs 30 to go to Sassoon Hospital. On a normal day, the fare would have been Rs 22.
Manoj Patil, DCP (Traffic),u00a0 said, "It is the duty of the RTO to take action against auto drivers who overcharge, which includes suspension of their licence."
