THE VOICE

The move by the UPA Led congress government to hike the price of petrol by 5 rupees has affected the common people who are already reeling under inflation. This sudden hike is the result of erratic policy of the Union government on fuel pricing.

With the increase in petrol prices the cost to motor car owners and taxi drivers increases. Nobody is bothered if the car owners suffer a cost increase. But the taxi driver can not absorb the increase in petrol costs. He has to increase the taxi fare. And this affects the middle class people. All the bus companies have to increase the bus fares - which affects the middle class as well as the poor. Kudus to the step of the government for immediately requisitioning buses and contemplating on the idea of pressing more into service for the benefit of the commuters.

Taxis in Shillong form the lifeline of the communication system and all of a sudden if they go off the road it is surely going to add to the hardships of the commuters. Reading the comments, of the people regarding the strike called by East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association, in the local newspapers one can simply conclude that most of the people who regularly hire taxi for commuting are seemingly not so happy with the services of the LOCAL Cabbies. But seeing the matter from one side is not justified. However, it looks weird when some people go to the extent of saying that if local taxis go off the road there will be less pollution and the government run buses are doing fine and Shillong must remain like this. Is this comment justifiable in the context of people driving taxis not by choice but by compulsion?  Many are dependent on this service for their livelihood?

Are taxis the only cause of pollution? One cannot settle his personal scores with these hapless sufferers at a time like this.  If government employees can demand for hike in their salaries because of inflation then why not these self employed people who are also members of the same society? Price rise affects all and sundry.  It is an undeniable fact that because taxi drivers are self employed they cannot demand for recommendation of better pay commission. They can at worst go to the extent of strike to demand for their rights. Government is justified in requisitioning bus services for the betterment and benefit of the commuters but according to the directive principles of our constitution government being the welfare state have to think equally for all the sections of our society.

We have time to speak about the unruly behaviour of these taxi drivers but spare little time to consider their plight. Though their untimely call for strike may be unwanted but thinking from their standpoint it seems just right. On the other hand hike in taxi fare may affect the poor commuters who are solely dependent on taxis for transportation. Now it’s time that government intervenes and provide a solution which will help solve the plight of both the taxi drivers and the commuters.

By 

Subash Deb
(This missive was written when Taxi Drivers and Owners in Shillong, fought for hike in taxi fares due to increase in price of petrol during the month of May, 2011)