Noida transport dept relaxes licence norms for PM’s event

The Noida transport department on Wednesday issued learners’ licence to 31 e-rickshaw drivers who will get e-rickshaws at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally scheduled for April 5.

The Noida transport department on Wednesday issued learners’ licence to 31 e-rickshaw drivers who will get e-rickshaws at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally that is scheduled for April 5.

Transport department issued licence to 31 people who will receive an e-rickshaw at the Prime Minister’s event on April 5. (HT File Photo)

According to rules, licence is issued only after a mandatory 10-day training period is completed. However, the assistant regional transport officer of Gautam Budh Nagar relaxed the rule, following verbal orders from the regional transport office in Ghaziabad.

The transport department denied learners’ licence on Monday and said the agency distributing e-rickshaws was not authorised by them. Within a day, the transport department has completed a U-turn by giving the organiser company a trade licence and also issuing learners’ licence, despite the lack of a 10-day training.

The rules for plying e-rickshaws were framed in March 2015 — an e-rickshaw manufacturer has to apply for trade licence from the transport department; the manufacturing companies authorised by the transport department will provide 10-day training to drivers, after which they will be eligible for learners’ licence.

Rachna Yaduvanshi, ARTO, Gautam Budh Nagar, said,“Since the event is a few days away, we got a verbal order from RTO Ghaziabad to register a fourth trader and issue learning licences to e-rickshaw drivers, despite not having the 10-day mandatory training certificates.”

It is worth noting that 29 of the vehicles belonged to Rising Star Company that was registered with the ARTO three months ago. Sarthak Automobiles and Aman Automobiles are the other two companies registered earlier. The fourth company that the ARTO registered on Wednesday is Kumar Traders and Services.

Yaduvanshi on Monday had written to Mayank Jyoti, RTO, Ghaziabad, apprising him of the pressure mounted on her for registration of the fourth company and issuing learning licences. “I have not received any official orders. We have issued learning licence on the condition that these companies would submit 10-day training certificates after the event,” Yaduvanshi said.