‘Fitness certificate mandatory’
The state government on Wednesday informed the Legislative Council that old taxis and autorickshaws plying in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region would need to obtain a fitness certificate.
Minister of state for transport Sachin Ahir said that strict action would be taken against RTO officers who flout norms in giving fitness certificate.
“As per the recommendations of the Hakim committee, the eligibility of taxis will be 20 years, and 16 years for autorickshaws, in Mumbai Metropolitan region. It will be
necessary for them to procure fitness certificate (while renewing the permit),” Mr Ahir said.
Of the 5.50 lakh auto rickshaws, 1,07,000 taxis ply in the state, while in Mumbai there are over 1.20 lakh rickshaws and 46,704 taxis.
Reacting to the development in the state legislature, A. L. Quadros, secretary of Mumbai Taximen Union said, “From January to April this year, 1,600 taxis have already been scrapped and family members dependent on these taxis have lost the means of their livelihood. We had demanded that the CM give soft loans to those who will subsequently lose the taxis, but it is so sad that the government did nothing.”
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Government appoints inquiry commitee
FAISAL MALIK
Mumbai, July 31
The state on Wednesday appointed a one-man committee of senior IAS officer R.A. Rajeev to investigate the awarding of parking lots under flyovers in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai despite the government’s policy disallowing the same citing security reasons. The announcement was made by public works minister (MSRDC) Jaydutt Kshirsagar in the state Assembly during the question hour.
Meanwhile, speaker Dilip Walse-Patil expressed his discontent over the department’s inaction on the matter. “How can the officers award contracts of parking lots disobeying the government’s policy?”
Mr Patil asked. The issue was raised by leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse, MNS legislator Nitin Sardesai, Congress legislator Krishna Hegde and many others during the question hour. Mr Khadse said that contracts for pay-and-park facility under flyovers were awarded to six big developers, going against the state policy.
“The state could have earned thousands of crores of rupees from these contracts. More significantly, the contracts were approved by none other than chief minister Prithviraj Chavan,” Mr Khadse alleged.
Replying to this, Mr Kshirsagar said “We have appointed R.A. Rajeev committee on Wednesday to probe the matter. It will give its report in two months.”
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