60,000 auto permits, 5 per cent for women

Maharashtra transport minister Diwakar Raote said state government has put 60,000 auto licences on sale in which 5 per cent quota will be reserved for women drivers only.

Referring to the government’s decision to reissue 60,000 permits of auto rickshaws in major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik and Nagpur some of which were dated to 1998, Mr Raote said that the permits would be issued online. “Five per cent of the permits to be allotted have been reserved for women,” he said adding that about 100 women have applied for the permits since registration started on Dec. 31, 2015. Mr Raote further said that the condition of one year driving experience for women auto rickshaw drivers has been waived off.

He said the applicants will have to be domicile of the state for 15 years and that he will have to have not just fill the form in Marathi, but also will also have to know the local language.

He added that if it is found that the applicant does not know Marathi, then his auto rickshaw permit should be cancelled. “In a bid to curb illegal transport and renewal of driving licences of state transport bus drivers, the department has decided to appoint two deputy RTOs on deputation with the State Transport Corporation,” he said.