The Rickshaw, Battery Rickshaw-Van and Easy Bike Sangram Parishad on Thursday urged the government to reconsider proposed licensing rules for battery-run vehicles, warning they could allow business syndicates to control production, charging and operations.
The demand was made at a press conference in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka.
Reading out a written statement, council Convener Khalequzzaman Lipon said the policy proposed by the Ministry of Local Government on August 17 contains both positive and concerning provisions.
Under the proposal, local government bodies, including city corporations, municipalities, upazilas and union parishads, would issue registration and licenses for electric rickshaws instead of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).
The council, however, objected to a provision requiring batteries to be charged only with solar power. It warned that violations could result in license cancellation, non-renewal and fines.
It also opposed any requirement to purchase e-rickshaws from designated manufacturers, saying this could create a powerful business syndicate controlling vehicle production, charging, licensing and operations.
The council said nearly 6 million people depend on the battery-run rickshaw sector for their livelihoods, while millions of commuters rely on the vehicles amid a shortage of affordable public transport.
The leaders called for a unified national policy under the BRTA covering registration, route permits, driver training, licenses and fitness certification, instead of a fragmented licensing system.
They also demanded withdrawal of the solar-only charging requirement, an end to extortion and illegal fees, and permission for all qualified local manufacturers to produce battery-run vehicles without preferential treatment for any particular group.
The council announced plans to submit memorandums to the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and the Local Government Ministry in the first week of September.
It will also hold divisional and district-level rallies and submit memorandums on September 10.