Petrol Rate Hike and our good old Autos

• Recently I had to take an auto from Adyar to Triplicane, which is just 4 kms. FOr this distance, the auto driver asked me Rs 100. WHen I questioned him the logic, he explained the petrol rates have increased. And that was an Auto running on LPG
• From Tiruvanmiyur to Triplicane, I was recently asked to pay Rs 80 by another auto driver. He explained petrol rates have increased. I doled the following economy to him,

Currently the rate per KM is Rs 3.50 - as fixed by GovernMENTAL people. Petrol rates have increased around Rs5 per litre. Assuming, an auto (full ottai auto) runs 10KM on a litre petrol, the actual rate hike per KM is just 50 paise. So, the minimum rate is Rs 4.00 per km. Add another rupee for the cost of inflation. So, let us say the minimum rate is Rs 5 per km. From Tiruvanmiyur to Triplicane, it is around 5KMs. So, the actual meter rate should be Rs 25. I was generous enough to add another Rs 15, and pay Rs 40. Auto driver claimed "it is not affordable" (kattu padi aagathunga).

I added a further explanation that a share auto that plies between Tiruvanmiyur and Parrys with just 5 passengers, charges Rs 10 per head; For him, it is affordable at Rs 50 up to Parrys Corner, so why not Triplicane at Rs 40? And a call taxi can drop me at Triplicane for Rs 80, so why not an Auto?

and he said "Moonjai paaru, nalla dress pottukittu irukaan, kandathukku selavu pannuvaan...seriyaana saavugirakki"

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Seriously speaking, the premium rate charged by Autodrivers, why should the Government even consider revising the minimum rates.? Does it matter at all?