Delhi’s auto drivers find support in NGO

They are arrogant, non-cooperative and viewed with suspicion by one and all. An NGO, Nyayabhoomi, however, begs to differ. The organisation is active in the capital working for the auto rickshaw drivers.

New Delhi: They are arrogant, non-cooperative and viewed with suspicion by one and all. Delhi’s ubiquitous

auto-rickshaw drivers would hardly find any sympathisers given their notoriety to overcharge and break traffic rules with impunity. An NGO, Nyayabhoomi, however, begs to differ. The organisation is active in the capital working for the auto rickshaw drivers. The NGO, led by Retd Lt Col B B Sharan and industrialist-turned-social activist Rakesh Agarwal believes that "unlike popular perception the auto-rickshaw drivers in the capital are not anti-social, and they are not criminals." The organization teaches them about the public behaviour and responsibilities expected from them. NGO activists hold for them informative briefings on motor vehicle acts, traffic guidelines, transport department’s rules and regulations. "Through meetings they are also taught how to accept challans, respond to notices, fight cases in the court, to understand different offences under Motor Vehicles Act," says Rakesh Agarwal, secretary of Nyayabhoomi. "The stressful and monotonous daily routine is the root cause for the rude behaviour of the drivers. We make them understand the value of a good family life in their profession," says Rakesh Agarwal. "There are few who understand the difficult life of being an autorickshaw driver in the capital and one among them is Nyayabhoomi, says Mohd Ansari, an auto-rickshaw driver from Pandav Nagar who has recently joined the NGO. "I would bribe and tolerate cops’ unacceptable behaviour of the police due to ignorance. But now I don`t, as Nyayabhoomi has made me aware of my rights and duties," claims Ramesh, an auto-rickshaw driver from Connaught Place. It’s not only Ramesh but several other members of the organisation like him who are now leading a happy life. Since its inception in October 2002, Nyayabhoomi is striving hard to improve the plight of these auto-rickshaw drivers and teach them lessons in good behaviour. The organisation has a network of 100+ volunteers with common emergency helpline numbers to help its members promptly. The NGO also has designated lawyers in the sessions and district courts of the city to enable all sorts of legal help at a nominal cost to the members. At present it has around 2500 members and the NGO makes efforts to ensure that its members are accountable to the commuters as well as authorities. "We try to ensure that these drivers abide by all the guidelines issued by authorities," adds Agarwal. The organization’s efforts are supported by the people also. "I was really astonished to see polite behaviour from these drivers. The common perception I had about them was that of goons and group of dishonest guys. Now, some of them are as humble as civilized ones. It’s really good, said Chandra Shekhar Singh, a software professional. Of late the Nyayabhoomi has published a ready reckoner "samadhan" that has useful information for the auto-rickshaw drivers as well as for the common man. It has sample applications to answer notices, brief on offences under the Motor Vehicles Act, information on Right To Information Act, guidelines on getting license, badges, permits, registration certificates and release of impounded vehicles from court. "Everyday we get a number of suggestions and feed back on `samadhaan`. We are really happy to note that our efforts are bringing in results" says Agarwal. "Many don’t know that accepting challans means acknowledging your faults that you may not be guilty of. Traffic police have no right to confiscate vehicles. It is totally illegal. We have planned to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on many such issues," he says. According to a rough estimate, Delhi has more than 50,000 auto-rickshaws and 1,00,000 drivers and Nyayabhoomi is committed to reform the lives of these men. Nyayabhoomi is also trying to uplift their living standards by encouraging drivers to educate their children, save money for the future and maintain a hassle-free social existence. "I was disappointed by the way auto drivers behave with the passengers. That was the time I decided to set up an organization to help this community," says Agarwal. Bureau Report