The other side of the CNG auto-rickshaw story
Saturday, 25 October 2008
We know about how CNG auto-rickshaw drivers overcharge their passengers by Tk 10-20-30-50 or even more than what is the normal fare. On the other hand, we also know that the owners of those auto-rickshaws overcharge their drivers daily by Tk 200-300 or more than the rate stipulated by the government.
Thus some of us who are told the story of how the CNG auto-rickshaw drivers have to pay the owners of their vehicle Tk 600-700 each day (the government rate Tk 400 something) we develop some sympathy for the drivers and sometimes pay (if we can) them Tk 10-20 more than the fare. And together (the driver and us) we would continue to heap abuse on the CNG owners.
It was just the other day that a driver told me to save some sympathy for the owners of the machines. Why? He told me that the machines should normally cost Tk 1.5 lakh or thereabouts but one has to dish out Tk 7.0 lakhs or so for each vehicle. The person who invests that kind of money are not multi billionaires and as such have to recoup their investment and then make a profit on it.
"How do you expect them to take what the government has ordered, sir? Just like us, they have families, mouths to feed and their future to take care of in these uncertain times. Tell me, sir, do you expect them to be otherwise? After all, they are not committing serious crimes like murder, banditry, smuggling or running arms or drugs. Why is the price of the vehicles so high? Who are the people behind the monopoly and why does it continue to be so even after we all know what the hell is going on?"
I did not know what to say except to have a bit of sympathy for the owners as well.
MA Majid
Kamalapur, Dhaka
Thus some of us who are told the story of how the CNG auto-rickshaw drivers have to pay the owners of their vehicle Tk 600-700 each day (the government rate Tk 400 something) we develop some sympathy for the drivers and sometimes pay (if we can) them Tk 10-20 more than the fare. And together (the driver and us) we would continue to heap abuse on the CNG owners.
It was just the other day that a driver told me to save some sympathy for the owners of the machines. Why? He told me that the machines should normally cost Tk 1.5 lakh or thereabouts but one has to dish out Tk 7.0 lakhs or so for each vehicle. The person who invests that kind of money are not multi billionaires and as such have to recoup their investment and then make a profit on it.
"How do you expect them to take what the government has ordered, sir? Just like us, they have families, mouths to feed and their future to take care of in these uncertain times. Tell me, sir, do you expect them to be otherwise? After all, they are not committing serious crimes like murder, banditry, smuggling or running arms or drugs. Why is the price of the vehicles so high? Who are the people behind the monopoly and why does it continue to be so even after we all know what the hell is going on?"
I did not know what to say except to have a bit of sympathy for the owners as well.
MA Majid
Kamalapur, Dhaka