High Court allows Rs 2 hike in auto and taxi fares on calibrated meters

Mumbai: Observing that the Maharashtra Government had a right to implement hike in the fares of autorickshaws and taxis, the Bombay High Court allowed such a measure from tomorrow on condition that the meters are calibrated. Autorickshaws and taxis which run with calibrated meters, would be permitted to charge increased fare of Rs 17 and 21 respectively, up from Rs 15 and Rs 19 currently being charged by the operators, ruled a bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka.

The bench also said if that the auto rickshaws and taxis do not run with calibrated meters they would not be allowed to charge increased fares. "If they do so, the regional transport authorities may take action against them," the judges said.

The bench also said that the state had a right to suggest an increase in fares. "If a technical decision has to be taken, it should be left to the experts and the High Court should not interfere in such cases," it said. The judges were of the view that the state had followed all procedures in suggesting a fare hike. As per the suggestion of the court, the state government gave an undertaking saying that it would not enforce the hike in fares till the time it ensures that all the meters are calibrated.

The high court was hearing a petition filed by Mumbai Grahak Panchayat, a consumer body, challenging the proposed Rs 2 hike by autorickshaws and taxis. Advocate General Darius Khambata argued that the hike was reasonable and should be allowed to implement it.

The hike was proposed by Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Transport Authority (MMRTA) which had forwarded the suggestion to the state government for approval. Uday Warunjikar, lawyer for the consumer body, argued that MMRTA was only an implementing authority and it could not give suggestions for a fare hike. However, the Advocate General argued that MMRTA could also give suggestions and it was up to the Government to accept or reject them.