NEW DELHI: Delhi traffic police’s power of impounding autorickshaws and taxis that refuse or misbehave with customers is set to be revoked . On Wednesday, the state government decided to curtail special powers of traffic police conferred on it several years ago. Under rule of 66/192 A, Delhi traffic police had power to seize vehicles in case of overcharging, refusal, driving without PSV (public service vehicle) badges, uniform, misbehaviour by drivers .

Traffic police officials said they have been opposing this move by the government as it would result in huge problems for commuters as there would be no agency where they can approach in case of overcharging or refusal by autorickshaws.

“If it is the decision of the government, it stands, but we have been opposing it due to a number of reasons which were also discussed with the highest authorities,” said Muktesh Chander, special commissioner, traffic.

Chander said they will now approach the highest authorities to consider implementation of the order. Traffic police, however, can seize autos and take strict action if the driver does not have his licence, fitness certificate or permit, and other serious traffic violations.

“Government has decided to withdraw the special power of Delhi traffic police in cases of minor traffic violation. In case of minor violation—refusal, driving without uniform, PSV badges, traffic police cannot now impound autos and taxis and instead they can only challan the vehicles in these cases,” a senior government official said.

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The decision was taken in a meeting of the state transport authority chaired by transport secretary and commissioner. “It was a delegated power given to police by Delhi government...and delegated power can be withdrawn or reduced any time,” the official said.

For instance, if the driver of an autorickshaw refuses to carry a passenger, traffic police cannot impound his or her vehicle in case passengers complain against the driver.

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For a long time, auto and taxi unions have been mounting pressure on governments, accusing traffic police of “harassing them over misuse of rule of 66/192 A”.

In the last 49-day stint of AAP, Arvind Kejriwal had also advocated reducing power of traffic police under the same rule.

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Predictably, autorickshaw unions are upbeat about the directive.“After seizing vehicles, traffic police referred challan to court. After depositing challan amount through court, we would go to traffic police's office to get the vehicle released. This resulted in harassment and waste of money and time for us,” said an autorickshaw union member.

