Picking up the issue of e-rickshaw operators, Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal met Lt. Governor of Delhi Shri Najeeb Jung and urged him that the state authorities should immediately stop issuing challans, impounding e-rickshaws and stop harassing e-rickshaw operators. Kejriwal also wrote to Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for the same.
In a memorandum given to the Lt. Governor, Arvind Kejriwal said that in its order dated 14 February 2014, the Delhi High Court had appreciated use of e-rickshaws as it is eco-friendly and and it also does away the archaic practice of man pulling a man. E-rickshaws were exempted from Motor Vehicle Rules but, through an amendment this exemption has been done away with. This has made plying of e-rickshaws illegal. Since then, these e-rickshaws are being issued challans and are being impounded on a large scale.
Arvind Kejriwal has argued in his memorandum that there are more than 2 lakh e-rickshaws in Delhi. Declaring them illegal would render more than 2 lakh people unemployed. Their families will find it very difficult to survive. E-rickshaws have also brought down the crime rate as many unemployed youth are now engaged in plying of e-rickshaws. These rickshaws also contribute to government revenue as the government charges VAT, excise duty and import duty on purchase of these rickshaws.
Kejriwal also said in his memorandum that these rickshaws are being allowed to ply in Ghaziabad under their own policy and each rickshaw is given a municipal registration number. If it can be done in Ghazibad, why not in Delhi?
Kejriwal has urged that since the case is sub-judice, challaning and impounding of these rickshaws should immediately be stopped till the pendency of the case and the rickshaws impounded so far should be released.
In a letter written to Raod Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Kejriwal said that issuing challans and impounding of e-rickshaws cannot be justified as the court had directed the government to form a policy and not to declare e-rickshaws illegal. Kejriwal said in his letter that He should immediately revoke the notification withdrawing exemption for e-rickshaws in the Motor Vehicle Rules. This would save livelihood of more that two lakh people.
|
|
Comments:
