The East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association will meet in the next few days to decide on what steps it can take given the sharp rise in the price of fuel in Meghalaya of late.
“We will be sitting to decide on whether we will again approach the state government or send a letter to the All India Trade Union Congress to take up the matter or even think about filing a PIL on the matter,” taxi association general secretary Wandonbok Jyrwa told Highland Post yesterday.
Taxi fares were formally revised upwards by the state government earlier this year but some consumers HP had spoken to recently complained that some drivers are charging more than the prescribed rate given the increase in petrol prices.
The taxi association had petitioned the Centre to bring petrol and diesel under the ambit of GST; currently states set their own taxation rates for fuel.
The recent increases in price have caused everyone dismay, Jyrwa said and “many people from rural areas and the outskirts cannot come to Shillong because of the situation.”
“We are tired of the government making the poor public their soft target especially in a state like ours where people are still struggling to become economically better off,” he said.
The association will also approach the State Transport Authority to decide on the taxi fares so that misunderstandings do not crop up between the passengers and the drivers.
