The Delhi government issued an order on Monday requiring auto-rickshaws and taxi drivers in the city to wear uniforms while driving, threatening them with severe penalties and licence suspension if they do not comply.
According to Section 66 of the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, every taxi and auto rickshaw must get permission to operate on the road. According to an order issued by the Delhi government’s Transport department, the permission is subject to various conditions, one of which is that a person would not operate a vehicle without wearing the required uniform as prescribed. The car and taxi unions said they were willing to comply with the ruling, but requested the government to reduce the Rs 10,000 fine.
According to a transportation official, the initial focus will be on raising awareness among drivers to wear uniforms because the city will host the G20 conference and the government does not want to make a poor image.
“All taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers are thus instructed not to operate the vehicle without wearing a specified uniform, failing which challan will be issued for breach of permission condition,” said the Monday order. The “habitual offender” may face “severe punishment” for failing to wear the uniform, including a large challan as well as the suspension or termination of a driver’s licence or vehicle registration if considered appropriate. Uniforms are also required for drivers of electric passenger vehicles.
According to Rajinder Soni, general secretary of the Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh would give the drivers a sense of identity. “However, there should not be a severe punishment, which is Rs 10,000, in case some driver fails to appear in uniform because of any good reason. The fine amount is not fixed at the moment; sometimes drivers are fined Rs 500, and other times the amount is larger,” Soni explained.
Drivers of autos and taxis must wear khaki uniforms when operating their cars, according to the Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules 1993. However, the colour was changed to grey for drivers and white for individuals who owned and drove their cabs and vehicles about 1995-96. Auto and taxi drivers have no trouble wearing uniforms, but the challan has been a problem, according to Chandu Chaurasia, head of the Capital Drivers Welfare Association. “Taxi and car drivers barely make $2,000-4,000 a day. “The Rs 10,000 fee is too high for them,” he explained.
In 2021, the Delhi High Court requested a response from the Centre and the Delhi government on a petition challenging the required uniforms for city auto and taxi drivers. Challans of up to Rs 20,000 were levied on auto-rickshaws and taxi drivers for not wearing the uniform, according to a plea filed by a drivers union, Chalak Shakti. The petitioners also stated that the law was imprecise and confusing about the colour or kind of uniforms. It was unclear if a pant shirt, Safari suit, or Kurta-Pyjama constituted a uniform. Furthermore, there was nothing concerning the type of cloth, colour and shade, trimmings, and accessories related to the uniform, according to the appeal. PTI VIT VIT VN VN VN VN.
In conclusion, the Delhi government’s directive asking auto and taxi drivers to wear a uniform is a step in the right direction. It will help to enhance the credibility and professionalism of these drivers, improve the quality of services offered and ensure the safety of passengers.
