The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has taken the first step towards commencing the process of registration and licensing of cycle-rickshaws by framing draft guidelines in compliance with the directions of the Delhi High Court. On Tuesday, the matter was laid before the NDMC Standing Committee, but members postponed it till the next meeting stating it required detailed discussions.
A letter from the Municipal Commissioner on Tuesday stated that the application forms for registration of cycle rickshaw and licensing of pullers have been finalised. “There shall be a registration fee of Rs.500 (valid for five years) and parking fee of Rs.500 (one time) whereas the licensing fee to be charged for grant of puller/plier licence shall be Rs.150 (valid for three years) which has also been indicated on the top of the application forms…” states the letter.
This is in contrast to the rates under the existing policy which charges Rs.50 per annum for registration and Rs.25 per annum for the licence. The rates are also higher than those proposed by the petitioner who suggested a registration fee of Rs.400 (for five years), parking charge of Rs.100 (one time) and a licence fee of Rs.100 (for three years).
In December 2011, the Delhi High Court had directed the erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Delhi to frame a policy on registration and licensing of cycle-rickshaws after ascertaining their exact number, areas where they ply and other relevant factors. Four years prior to the court orders, the MCD had capped the number of licences issued to rickshaws at 52,000 but with the fresh development, the civic body had to rethink the ban.
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