Auto drivers demand simplification of DL process

BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Auto Rickshaw Mahasangha (BARM) on Monday protested the State Government’s complicated driving license process which is now a headache for the auto rickshaw drivers. The Mahasangh demanded simplification of driving license of the Auto Rickshaw drivers.

The Mahasangha members at a Press meet here said that around 90 per cent auto drivers don’t have driving license according to the RTO officials. Though the drivers have Light Motor Vehicle licenses along with transport permit, they are compelled to make special driving license for their Auto Rickshaw, the Mahasangha alleged.

“Our auto drivers have driving licenses and transport permits, so the officials should not harass them. The officials should take action against the auto drivers who don’t have license. We would raise voice against the officers who is unnecessarily harassing our drivers,” said Mahasangha president Sibananda Ray.

General secretary of the Mahasangha Padman Kumar Samal said the Auto Rickshaw is coming under light vehicle category and our drivers has already deposited the sum during making license for their vehicle, so why they would again make another license for Auto Rickshaw, he questioned.

Samal opposed the process of collecting tax for 15 years at a time while making the license of the Auto Rickshaw. The RTO should collect the tax for a year basis, he added. The Mahasangha said the State Government is interested to impose heavy tax on them, but do not think about their necessities and problems. They don’t have any parking place in the city, the members of the Mahasangha said.