For first time, state revokes permit for rigged e-meter

For the first time ever, on Wednesday, an autorickshaw permit holder lost his permit permanently, after the Andheri Regional Transport Office found that the electronic meter fitted in his auto had been rigged.

For the first time ever, on Wednesday, an autorickshaw permit holder lost his permit permanently, after the Andheri Regional Transport Office found that the electronic meter fitted in his auto had been rigged.

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After three instances of tampered e-meters came to light, the state transport department had sent out a circular early this month asking RTOs to file FIR and cancel permits of erring taxi and auto owners.

Officials said Dilip Sitaram Nimunkar’s permit was cancelled after the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority okayed the Andheri RTO’s proposal to revoke it. The auto driver, Arshad Ansari, 25, and meter repairer, Abdulji Sayyad, 25, are already facing police action as an FIR was filed against them at Jogeshwari police station on July 6, a transport official said.

The state hopes such strict action will act as a deterrent. The government has not issued new permits since 1997, so an auto owner who loses his permit will go out of business.