Fitness test: Huge relief for auto drivers likely

​Hyderabad: Following strong protests from auto unions, the State Road Transport Authority (RTA) is likely to issue orders soon announcing that the auto rickshaws which have not got fitness test done for long could do so by paying a penalty of Rs 50 per day with effect from January 1.

According to the original orders issued by the Centre, the penalty of Rs 50 was to be collected from the day the period of fitness certificate had expired. This had created a situation where the auto drivers were asked to pay Rs 50,000 in some cases leading to huge uproar among auto unions.

The auto drivers who formed into Telangana Auto Union JAC had threatened to take up protests on a large scale against the implementation of the new rules. The JAC leaders gave a representation to the government to look into the issue and address their grievance.

Auto union leader B Venkatesh said that the Transport Secretary had assured to collect the new charges from January 1 since the gazette notification was issued on December 29. He said the penal amount would be calculated from January 1 onwards.

Prior to the new rules announced by the Centre, auto drivers had to pay Rs 260 as the fee and get fitness certificate, but as per the new rules, the auto drivers have to pay Rs 660 plus a penalty of Rs 50 per day in case of delay in getting the fitness test done.

One auto driver and resident of Kukatpally Bala Krishna, who came for fitness test of his auto bearing number AP 23Y 5639, was shocked to learn that he needs to pay Rs 53,000 as penalty for the delay in getting his fitness certificate.