Dhaka Bureau: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did not know about the decision to stop autorickshaws in the capital. He did not think it was logical to take such a decision without providing for their livelihood. The Prime Minister has directed the Road Department and the Ministry of Home Affairs to fix how autorickshaws will run in some parts of the capital through the road-highway embankment. At the same time, he also directed the concerned to regulate battery-operated autorickshaws and easy bikes by making a rule.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave this directive at the Cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, capital, on Monday, May 20. After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain told reporters at the secretariat in the afternoon.
The secretary said that there was an incident with the autorickshaw. It has appeared in various newspapers. Autorickshaw drivers have reacted on their own. It has come to the attention of the Prime Minister. He gave clear instructions—nno decision can be taken ignoring the livelihood of autorickshaw pullers. Their livelihood should be taken very seriously.
He said, and the Prime Minister said, ‘You did not inform me. What provision has been made for their livelihood?’ Rather, he did not think it logical to make such a decision about them without providing for their livelihood.
“In this regard, the Prime Minister said in the Cabinet, “I was not discussed. I didn’t know you should have talked to me. It was not logical to take such a difficult decision without providing for their livelihood,” added the Cabinet Secretary.
Mahbub Hossain said that the Prime Minister has given instructions that it should be regulated through a rule. They have to provide training for that regulation. They have to share certain areas; they can’t drive outside the designated area; they have to drive within.
He said they cannot drive autorickshaws on highways, busy hubs, or roads. The Prime Minister has also said that you can drive on which roads and at what speed.
Stating that under no circumstances they (auto rickshaws) can go on highways or major roads, the secretary said that, confirming these matters, the head of government has instructed the road department and the home ministry to properly amend the relevant laws and regulations or take necessary measures. He also gave directions on how to coordinate the autorickshaw’s battery, engine, and aesthetic infrastructure to run smoothly.
When asked whether initiative will be taken soon to provide a livelihood for autorickshaw drivers, the Cabinet Secretary said that the Prime Minister has given his instructions to the Roads Department and Home Ministry.
