Letters to the editor
Lying against will
Sir,
Many of us do not want to lie, but there are times when we are bound to do so. Such occasions occur before hiring a CNG auto-rickshaw. Every one knows how difficult it is to get a CNG, particularly at peak hours. Even if you get one, the driver in most cases will refuse to go to the place you want to go. The drivers do not want to go to places of short distance and not also to places from where they may have to return empty.
As per rule the auto-rickshaw drivers, while on the road, have no right to say no to a passenger. Passengers have hardly any place to go for redress. While in a hurry or on emergency, the passenger is helpless. Understanding the situation the driver will demand exorbitant fare.
Helpless passengers have no choice but to concede to the demand of the drivers. Not only that, prior to boarding a CNG baby-taxi in the city, a passenger has to make an oath that, if asked, he will tell the police that the taxi is running on metre though he would pay the driver two or three times more than the fare the metre would read. How helpless the poor passengers are!
Ruksana Bilkis, Sheorapara, Dhaka
