All Auto Rickshaw Holders Should Have Operating Electronic Meters: Madras High Court

Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy considered the submission made by the Advocate General R. Shanmugasundaram that action has been taken to install electronic meters but it is without printers. He also stated that checks were being conducted and those who were in violation of the order were being penalized.

He further submitted that installation of printers was not a viable option for the state as it would incur costs. It was further stated that the State is in the process of installing GPS or to make a consolidated equipment which may have meters with GPS and may be available through the mobile application.

Mr S.V Ramamurthy, the party in person, submitted that even though the electronic meters have been installed on auto rickshaws, they do not operate the same and demand charges as per their will. Thus, the compliance has not been made properly.

The court directed that all autorickshaws be fitted with electronic meters which should be operated while transporting passengers. The court also ordered that checks should be conducted by the Police and Transport Departments to find out as to whether the auto-rickshaw is being operated with meters or not, and for that, if any complaint is made, then immediate action should be taken on it.

With respect to installation of printers, the court considered the submission of the AG and stated that the same was an expensive affair. However, the court also directed the State to install the same and generate bills as and when these printers are available.

The court also directed the State to revise the fares/rates of the auto-rickshaws, periodically, looking to the fluctuation of the rates of petrol/diesel. This system would take into account the fluctuations of the rates of petrol/diesel without evolving the long drawn process but by using the software in such a manner where the rates may be revised, thereby, upgraded the system/mechanism automatically on the meters.

Case Title: S.V Ramamurthy v. The Secretary, Government of TN

Case No: W.P No. 5142 of 2022