The Hindu : Sheila protests closure of pre-paid booths

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 13, 2003

Other States

Other States - New Delhi

Sheila protests closure of pre-paid booths

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI FEB. 12 . The battle of nerves between the Delhi Government and the Lt-Governor, Vijai Kapoor, over the transport sector has taken a new turn. Taking a serious view of "arbitrary actions'' of the Delhi Traffic Police, the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, has written to Mr. Kapoor expressing `shock and dismay'' at the unilateral closure of 28 pre-paid auto and taxi booths causing harassment to commuters across the Capital.

The traffic police shut down these booths at major junctions, like railway stations, inter-State bus terminals, airports and major localities early this week, allegedly on directions from Raj Nivas.

Sources in the Delhi Government say that, despite denials by the traffic police and Raj Nivas, the closures had the tactical approval of the Lt-Governor who is reportedly unhappy with the Transport Minister, Ajay Maken, for bypassing him while issuing the notification for the new revised auto fares.

The traffic police had stated that they had not been informed of the revised fares, a charge denied by the Delhi Government.

Sources say this was Mr. Kapoor's way of getting even with Mr. Maken. But the manner in which the pre-paid booths were closed down causing harassment to lakhs of commuters and tourists clearly indicated a lack of concern by the traffic police and Raj Nivas to the problems that people could encounter. But this time the Delhi Government seems to have decided to take the fight right into the rival camp.

The Chief Minister had been away at Himachal Pradesh and returned only late last night and learnt about the arbitrary action of the police.

It is learnt that Ms. Dikshit, in her communication to the Lt-Governor, has mentioned not only the arbitrary closure of the booths but also a hefty increase in service charges, from Rs. 2 to Rs. 5 for autos and taxis.

She expressed concern that despite the gazette notification issued by the Delhi Government on February 5 on auto fare revision, the traffic police had claimed that they were not informed of the revised fares and had arbitrarily closed down pre-paid booths that had been in existence for years. This, the Chief Minister added, had taken place in spite of the State Transport Authority directive, sent to the Delhi Police by an official letter from the Joint Commissioner (Operations) in the Transport Department on February 6 and also a public notice the next day.

Ms. Dikshit is understood to have written that at a meeting taken by the State Chief Secretary, Shailja Chandra, on February 10, where representatives of the traffic police were present, the matter came up for discussion. The officers from the traffic police assured all compliance of the notification.

``This action of the traffic police has greatly inconvenienced the general public without any rhyme or reason. I fail to understand this shocking attitude of non-cooperation which has led to unnecessary confusion and has caused distress to the commuter,'' she adds.

Rounding off her "protest'', the Chief Minister is believed to have requested Mr. Kapoor to direct the traffic police to adhere to the notification of February 5 on fare revision. Seeking restoration of the status quo, she is believed to have said that any change in service charges should be first discussed with the Transport Department and then only implemented, as it had a direct bearing on the fare structure.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

Sheila protests closure of pre-paid booths

Senior Congress leader passes away

Faulty work delays NDMC building

Leaders panic on delimitation issue

'Young brigade' disappoints in MCD session

Notices on unauthorised crematorium