Bengal comes out with directives for cabs, auto rickshaws

Kolkata, Aug 21 (IANS) Concerned over complaints from the public against errant auto rickshaw and taxi drivers in the metropolis, the West Bengal government Tuesday came out with a list of directives to check the menace.

Taking a tough posture, state Transport Minister Madan Mitra said permits of auto-rickshaws will be cancelled if the passengers made serious allegations of misbehaviour by the drivers.

The minister, who met representatives of various auto-rickshaw unions, requested them to bar drivers of these public transports from the road if such allegations were levelled by the commuters.

He said while police have been asked to slap fines on auto rickshaw drivers carrying more than four passengers, smoking or talking over mobile phones while driving, the authorities would also not allow blaring music systems in auto-rickshaws while ferrying passengers.

The government would also issue identity cards and proper uniforms to all auto-rickshaw drivers and asked owners to ensure the drivers had legal identity proof.

On frequent complaints of taxis refusing passengers, Mitra said police would take strong action against such drivers

The city police would also hold workshops to sensitise drivers of traffic rules and correct behaviour with passengers.