Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 1: Hire charges of taxis which had been used for checking corona-related quarantine in Dakshina Kannada district have not been paid so far even after four months. Owners and drivers of the taxis have been struggling to repay loan instalments and maintain their families.

People who came in contact with corona-infected persons and those coming from abroad had been kept in home quarantine. ASHA workers, police and health assistants were entrusted with the task of visiting 80 houses every day to check health. Those in quarantine were warned not to come out. The district administration had provided hired taxis to the supervisory team.

Representational image

The administration had initially obtained 80 taxis through the district taximen's association. After 21 days, they were allowed to go back. For them, daily hire charges of Rs 2,350 was disbursed. After eight days, 20 more taxis were hired. They were used fur duties between April 28 and July 9. Taxi owners say that they worked amid corona fear for 73 days and all details were systematically filed in the police stations. They rue the fact that so far no bills were paid even though the deputy commissioner and transport department meant were requested.

Taxi driver Janardhana says that he has to repay loans raised from banks, pay taxes and insurance. He said that the bank manager has been urging him to repay instalments and he has been facing problem even in meeting family expenses. Several drivers have lamented this fact. However, Ramesh Kotian, president of taxi association Udupi said that in Udupi district, hire charges were promptly paid by the district administration and in respect of taxis used by police department, payment is about to be released in a couple of days.

Deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, Dr K V Rajendra, agreed that there are some dues of hire charges. He said that some people have made huge bills and everything will be verified and hire charges will be disbursed after properly assessing the same.