The city auto drivers will have to install global positioning systems (GPS) in their vehicles with the Delhi High Court today rejecting their plea against the city government's notification for installation of GPS in auto rickshaws. A bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw rejected the auto drivers' association's plea against GPS installation,saying the same is in line with the global trend. Dismissing the plea that the State Transport Authority (STA) was not empowered to issue the notification for GPS installation,the bench said,"We don't see anything wrong in requiring the auto rickshaws to be GPS/GPRS and printer fitted. The same is in consonance with what is happening in the rest of the world." "Any inhabitant in Delhi would vouch for the infamy of the auto rickshaw drivers. They are not only known to overcharge but also to take longer rather than direct routes for their own benefit and to the detriment of their patrons and consumers," the bench observed. The court rejected the auto drivers' argument that the government's decision is "discriminatory and arbitrary" and said,"Installation of GPS would create a proof/evidence of the route taken by the auto rickshaw drivers. We don't find anything wrong in the decision of the respondent State Transport Authority (STA) in this scenario to provide for fitting each auto rickshaw with GPS/GPRS and printing devises so as to regulate their plying thereof." The court took note of the Delhi government counsel Najmi Waziri's argument that the installation charge has been reduced from Rs 15,000 to Rs 7,500 and it would not cause any financial burden on auto drivers. The court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the government's notification demanding Rs 15,000 from auto drivers for installing GPS systems. The auto drivers had argued that the device is available in the market for Rs 5000. Auto rickshaw drivers contended they cannot be forced to pay the amount for GPS installation as they are daily wage earners and it would harm their livelihood. The city government had issued the notification in March last year,empowering itself to collect the extra money for setting up a Central Control Room for installing GPS on autos for better service,security and convenience to customers. The court accepted the government's argument that the rationale behind the policy is to monitor the movement of auto rickshaws and taxis for the purpose of overall security and safety of the commuters particularly ladies,children and the elders. "The movement of the said vehicles through the satellite system will facilitate the tracing and apprehending of persons who may be in conflict with the law,the mechanism will also help in ensuring that the passengers / commuters are given a due receipt of the distance travelled," the government had said in an affidavit to court. The bench,in its 21 page verdict,rejected the auto drivers argument that the Motor Vehicle Act has not empowered the city government to impose the conditions and said,"The existing provisions of the Act were held sufficient to clothe the transport authorities with ample powers to control and regulate the traffic so that no vehicle being used in a public place poses any danger to the public in any form.
