Representatives of various autorickshaw trade unions and autorickshaw drivers gheraoed the office of the Regional Transport Officer (Central), on Friday, alleging that the transport department staff had deflated the tyres of autorickshaws that were seized by them on various charges.
President of the Joint Action Committee comprising ten autorickshaw trade unions P.K. Sugumaran claimed that the tyres of more than 10 seized vehicles were found to be deflated. He said that it came to light when the drivers who paid the fine tried to take their vehicles on Thursday.
On Friday, the drivers inflated the tyres with hand pumps and took the vehicles from the RTO office premises. Calling it an illegal and inhuman act, the drivers urged the officials concerned to find those who indulged in the act and put an end to such incidents.
They also sought relaxation from seizing vehicles for minor offences.
Mr. Sugumaran said that some vehicles were seized as drivers had licences but did not have a public badge that they should own to drive vehicles for transporting passengers. He made an appeal to the RTO officials to take necessary steps to issue the badge to drivers, rather than booking them and seizing their vehicles.
He also asked the police and transport officials not to register cases against vehicles that carried less than eight students to school. Noting that schools trips account for a major source of income for autorickshaw drivers, he stated that their joint action committee would not stop the enforcement agency from booking cases against vehicles carrying more than eight students at a time.
Earlier that day, a petition in this connection was submitted to District Collector Archana Patnaik. It is learnt that the above said issues will be discussed in a meeting chaired by the Collector in the presence of RTO officials early next week.
