The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) to file a statement before the commission on the distance from Pettah to PMG Junction and the fare charged by prepaid auto.
The directive was issued by SHRC chairperson J.B. Koshy on a petition filed by an employee of the Secretariat pointing out that Rs.45 was being collected for travelling in prepaid autorickshaw from Pettah railway station to PMG junction via the Law College junction.
The RTO, Thiruvananthapuram, has been asked to file the report on the fare and distance before June 4.
The RTO has also been asked to take steps to reduce the fare if it is on the higher side.
The commission rejected the inquiry report filed by the RTO on December 4 which stated that instructions were given to the City Traffic police station to look into the fares and take necessary steps.
The petitioner informed the SHRC that even after filing the petition, the prepaid counter at the Pettah railway station was charging Rs.45.
The SHRC chairperson has asked the RTO to go through the report carefully before filing them with the commission. The prepaid autorickshaw counters were set up to end the exploitation of the common man, he reminded the officials.
The petition will come up before the SHRC again on June 4.
