HYDERABAD, Dec 15: The Sindh High Court, Hyderabad bench, on Thursday summoned the Hyderabad RPO, DSP (traffic) and the Provincial Transport Authority secretary on Dec 22 after the Sindh additional advocate general submitted a progress report a on installation of meters in rickshaws.

The bench noted that the report was unsatisfactory as far as installation of fare meters in rickshaws in the city was concerned. According to the report, only three more rickshaws in the city had been fitted with fare meters, in addition to 478.

The Sindh AAG also submitted a letter of the District Regional Transport Authority secretary, recommending an application of the Rickshaw Driver Workers’ Union general secretary, seeking revision of rickshaw fares commensurate with rise in petrol prices.

According to the applicant, road-worthiness certificates were not being issued to rickshaws by the motor vehicle inspector. He said that due to non-revision of fares, drivers were charging fares with consent of passengers.

He said the SHC had directed the motor vehicle inspector not to issue fitness certificates unless rickshaws were fitted with meters and the court on Nov 30 had also directed authorities to fix fares of rickshaws.

He said since rickshaws were not being issued fitness certificates, drivers were being booked and vehicles were being impounded. He demanded that the PTA secretary should fix fares of rickshaws at Rs15 per kilo meter so that issuance of fitness certificates could be ensured.