Picking up the issue of e-rickshaw operators, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday met Delhi lieutenant-Governor, Najeeb Jung and urged him to instruct the authorities from issuing challans, impounding e-rickshaws and stop harassing the operators. Kejriwal also wrote to the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, for the same.
In a memorandum given to Jung, Kejriwal said that in its order dated February 14, the Delhi High Court appreciated the use of e-rickshaws as it is eco-friendly and it also does away with the archaic practice of man pulling a man. He argued in his memorandum that there are more than tow lakh e-rickshaws in Delhi.
“Declaring them illegal would render over two lakh people unemployed. Not to mention the difficulty that will befall their families. E-rickshaws have also brought down the crime rate as many unemployed youths are now engaged in plying of e-rickshaws. They also contribute to the Government revenue as the Government charges VAT, excise duty and import duty on their purchase,” the letter said.
Kejriwal also said that these rickshaws are being allowed to ply in Ghaziabad under their own policy and each rickshaw is given a municipal registration number. “If it can be done in Ghaziabad, why not in DelhiIJ” he argued.