DTC charges more than it is allowed: Consumer forum

The DTC is overcharging passengers, flouting law on fare with impunity, a Delhi district consumer forum has ruled, while asking the state transport authority to rein in it by ways, including cancellation of its licence.

“It is evident on record that the DTC is flouting the law with impunity and charging the consumers in excess of the notification,” said East District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum.

“It is proved on record that the DTC is charging the public in violation of the notification issued by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and they are not allowing the public to travel to the distance to which they are entitled on a ticket paid by them,” the forum said.

The forum’s order came on east Delhi resident C P Rai, accusing the DTC of over-charging passengers by violating the fare notification by "manipulating" the distance between two places. The forum also referred to an old Delhi High Court order which had asked the Delhi State Transport Authority (STA) to reign in DTC as per the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act.

“The STA has to ensure that provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act are strictly complied with. If any transporter, including the DTC is found to be violating the provisions of law of the notification in respect to fare, then they should take the step for cancellation of their permits. Nothing of the sort has been resorted by the STA despite the direction of the high court,” the forum said.