Mangalore: The Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner, Dr. N.S. Chennappa Gowda invited the auto-rickshaw drivers associations leaders to DCO auditorium on September 28 to discuss the issue of auto travel fare hikes, and settle their demands on minimum fare and tariff.

However, the DC could not make up his mind to raise the fares, without looking into all aspects such as the interests of traveling public, their capacity to pay, and fares that are in force in other states/parts of the Karnataka state, and so on. He needed time.

The delegates pleaded that the matter was relegated for long, while petrol prices went up many times, since the last increase in auto-fares. Besides, other machinery materials prices also went up by 40%, they argued.
While one of the auto associations asked for a minimum fare at Rs 18, other associations Clamoured for Rs20 or even Rs21, as the minimum rate of travel.

They, however, objected to a remark of Sushil Noronha a social worker, that auto drivers were making “daylight robbery” while plying their vehicles.
They wanted such a nasty remark to be withdrawn. Noronha explained that several auto drivers were demanding higher amounts from customers than what is permitted. They also refused to help clients on routes. The debate was hot. He told DC that the drivers had even withdrawn the travelers. Facility for “pre-paid” journey in auto rickshaw that was available earlier.
DC Gowda intervened and pacified the agitated drivers, at this stage.

Auto Associations leaders vishwanath Shetty (BMS) L.T. Suwrna (CITU), Sudath Jain(AIEU) and Viahnumurthy among others participated in the debates. RTO Mallikmarjun and Dt. SPLabhuram attended this meeting.