It is not only auto drivers harassing common people, police are also with them

I have a question for you-

“In an argument with an auto driver, police will side with whom?”

If your answer is that police will side with you then you have a surprise for you whenever you face such a situation. My experience is that police always sides with auto drivers as they see them as a money provider whereas public will only say thank you and walk away. In fact what police is doing is as per the policy of the government – “Talk of common man’s interest but work for other party’s interest”. And this party can be auto drivers, taxi/bus drivers, power/water distribution companies and any other product or service provider.

Yesterday I visited pre-paid auto booth at Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station. I wanted to hire an auto for Paschim Puri. The policeman asked me to pay Rs. 125. When I said that the fare by meter comes to between Rs. 90 and Rs. 95, he said that it if I want a pre-paid auto I will have to pay Rs. 125. He was visibly annoyed with me. I gave him Rs. 150. He threw Rs. 25 at me. And whatever talk he did was shouting at me.

I have been wondering, is it is essential for a policeman to be ill-mannered.

I monitored the auto meter. When I reached my residence, the meter showed 19.3 km and fare as Rs. 92.80. I showed it to auto driver. He told me that he can not give money to police from his pocket. Passengers have to provide it.

I will be happy if any one can cite an instance where police sided with common people.

See what Delhi Traffic Poluice say on their website (S. No. 2 for over-charging)

http://www.delhitrafficpolice.nic.in/prepaid-booths.htm

Benefits of travelling in Taxi or TSR from Traffic Prepaid Booths :

1. Prepaid booths are operated under the direct control of Delhi Traffic Police.
2. It helps to avert over-charging, refusal, misbehaviour or harassment by the Taxi/TSR drivers.
3. Taxis are presently operating from 3 booths i.e. Domestic, International Airports an New Delhi Railway Station (Ajmeri Gate side).
4. Duly signed receipt indicating the Taxi/TSR number, destination, Service Charges, baggage charge if any and the fare is given to the passenger.
5. Rs. 2/- and 5/- for TSRs and Rs. 10/- for taxis are charged for the services.
6. This system is purely optional for passengers.
7. One can SMS at 6767 for any complaint regarding misbehaviour by TSR/Taxi drivers.

In my case Delhi Traffic Police did the overcharging.