By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

Autorickshaw drivers of Pamban and Thangachimadam appealed to the District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon during the weekly grievance meeting here on Monday to grant them permit to operate their autorickshaws in Rameswaram.

Dominic, one of the petitioners and an autorickshaw driver, said more than 100 autorickshaw drivers who have registered their autorickshaws in their native places like Pamban and Thangachimadam were denied entry into Rameswaram.

“Even if we enter the area for dropping our kids in schools or colleges, family members to the temple or shop in the temple area, we are being fined with hefty amounts,” he added.

Even today, they had received a message asking them to pay ₹10,000 as fine for entering the Rameswaram region, he alleged.

Complaining about the ‘discriminatory’ practice, he said, they had raised the issue several times with the district administration and even petitioned the previous Collectors to revoke the rules denying them entry into Rameswaram area.

He questioned when even North Indian people and people from other districts were allowed to do their businesses in Rameswaram why not them who were born and raised in the same district.

Demanding to immediately let go of this practice, Mr. Dominic asked the district administration to give them permits.