Just a day after it announced that it would be issuing new permits for 35,000 three-wheeler scooter rickshaws (TSRs), the Delhi Transport Department has decided to issue permits for 45,000 new such vehicles, to abide by the permission of the Supreme Court to increase the quota by 45,000.
Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami said on Friday that the Government would now be issuing 45,000 additional TSR permits as per the instructions of the apex court.
Mr. Goswami said the Delhi Government has also come to know that a nexus between the dealers, middleman and even employees of the manufacturing companies was operating to extract money from the vehicle buyers. “The Government is keeping an eye on such activities and the Transport Department is about to set up a special team to curb such practices,’’ he said.
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The Minister said a close watch was being kept on the situation. “In case, any irregularity, corruption or loan on high rates gets attention of the Delhi Government and it would continue to invite the strictest action, including cancellation of dealership. The Delhi Government would like to make it clear that any irregularity would be treated as an obstacle in implementation of instructions of the Supreme Court.’’
The Minister said the grant of permits was a top priority for his Department. “We are facilitating installation of GPS in all the auto-rickshaws in ample numbers so that the difficulties encountered by the passengers are also overcome and they are able to have a safe journey,’’ he said.
The Minister said the Delhi Government has noticed that sale of auto-rickshaws for SC/ST applicants has not picked up.
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“Such applicants may apply to SC/ST Financial Development Corporation to seek loan on reasonable rates,’’ he suggested.