3 minutes of readingPuneFebruary 2, 2026 05:20 pm IST
Written by Shubham Kurale
He Pune The Regional Transport Office (RTO) last week ordered autorickshaw permit holders employed by government, semi-government, private undertakings or other organizations to surrender their permits or face action under the Motor Vehicles Act.
talking to He indian expressNandkishor Kale, Deputy Regional Transport Officer, Pune, said, “As per the Motor Vehicles Act, an autorickshaw permit is granted only to persons who intend to earn their living by working as full-time autorickshaw drivers. While obtaining the permit, the applicant has to submit an affidavit stating that he is not employed by any government, semi-government, private company or other organisation. This rule has been created only to provide employment opportunities to unemployed people.”
The Transport Department started issuing new autorickshaw permits in 2017, considering the city’s growing population. “However, many people declared themselves unemployed while obtaining the permit, and even after getting formal employment, they retained it. The RTO has observed that this is causing injustice to those who really need employment,” Kale added.
As per rules, permit holders who get jobs must voluntarily surrender their permit at the RTO office. Many people, however, obtain an autorickshaw permit and then take other jobs, trying to earn additional income by selling or renting the permit.
The Pune RTO has clarified that it will collect information on permit holders who do not surrender their permits voluntarily. If verification reveals that a person is employed and still holds an autorickshaw permit, his or her current employer will be informed and further action will be initiated.
Furthermore, a loophole remains in the permit issuance process as the RTO administration relies solely on applicants’ self-declaration and cannot track their employment status after issuance.
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“Strict control is needed”
Pune City Autorickshaw Federation leader Bapu Bhave welcomed the decision. “The introduction of metro services and transport apps has affected our business. I have also noticed that some people working at Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML), head office building, Sassoon Hospital and other places have autorickshaw permits. How is it fair?”
“Pune has considerably more rickshaws, approximately around 1.3 lakh, as compared to the population ratio. We welcome the RTO’s move and support the revocation of such permits. But it should stop issuing new permits or at least maintain strict control while granting new ones,” Bhave added.
‘Exempt to those in the private sector’
However, Shafique Patel, president of the Kondhwa-based Azad Rickshaw Drivers Association, urged the RTO to consider the economic realities faced by workers. “There are people who are paid low wages in their jobs and drive autorickshaws part-time, after their routine work shifts, to earn a living and support their families in a city like Pune with rapidly rising costs of living.”
“The RTO should consider canceling permits of those holding permanent jobs in the government and semi-government sectors, but should exempt those in the private sector,” Patel said, adding that the transport administration should keep a strict vigil on affidavits or self-declarations, while issuing new rickshaw permits by checking whether applicants have Provident Fund (PF) accounts and other details linked to Aadhar cards.
Shubham Kurale is an intern at The Indian Express.