He was addressing a press conference to object to the Administration’s decision to reduce taxi fares in the city. A delegation of representatives from Mega Cabs, Easy Cabs and Indus cabs were also present in the conference.

Explaining their reasons, Dhariwal pointed out that when cab services were started in Chandigarh on May 11, 2006, a flat fare of Rs 15 was calculated on various parameters.

The Administration later notified the fare of Rs 15 for the first kilometre and Rs 12 for every subsequent kilometer with a written promise saying “this fare will be subject to upward revision after six months or as and when fuel prices are increased” Dhariwal said while claiming the same was not implemented.

On February 14, 2008, the Administration notified the increase in the per kilometre rate to Rs 15 but by that time, the price of diesel was peaking at Rs 34.70 per litre, added Dhariwal.

The members also listed out other factors in support of their objection: engine oil, available at Rs 105 per litre in 2006, has soared to Rs 165 per litre in 2009 while the salary of a driver, Rs 5,000 per month in 2006, increased by Rs 1,000 annually to stand at over Rs 7,000 per month in 2008.

Secretary (Transport) Ram Niwas, however, maintained: “The hundreds of requests we received from the public prompted us to take the decision to reduce taxi fares.”