The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed that taxis in the metropolis which did not apply for digital meter printers by tomorrow, would not be allowed on the roads from Sunday.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice J N Patel and Justice S Chakraborti refused to entertain prayers by the Bengal Taxi Association and the Calcutta Taxi Association for extending the date, observing that enough time has been given to comply with its earlier order.
The court had on September 2, 2011, directed that all taxis be fitted with digital meter printers by March 31 this year. The metropolis has 33,000 taxis. According to a report placed by the transport department in the court, out of 33,000 taxis in the metropolis only 3,284 have digital meter printers. The printouts would bear the number of the taxi, the name, address and phone number of the owner apart from the amount charged and distance travelled. Owners of 7,034 taxis have applied for meter printers but are receive them. The court exempted those who have applied and those applying by tomorrow, but the remaining would not be allowed on the roads from Sunday.