Maharashtra government looks serious to make the installation of electronic meters in autorickshaws in Mumbai and Pune mandatory soon. A meeting is scheduled to take place on this issue on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Transport, Gulabrao Deokar told this to reporters here.

"We have accepted the policy of installing electronic meters in autorickshaws plying in Mumbai and Pune region and very soon, a decision in this regard would be taken. In fact, we will hold a meeting on the issue tomorrow", Deokar said.

Even though the move would benefit lakhs of autorickshaw passengers, the autorickshaw associations have opposed the move, the minister said.

"The electronic meters would bring transparency in autorickshaw fares, as there has been a constant cry from passengers about drivers overcharging. This move would help in keeping a check on erring drivers," he added.

Asked about the scarcity of fertilisers in the state, Deokar, who is also the Minister of State for Agriculture, said, "The scarcity was due to the delay in reaching the stock of fertilisers in April and May this year, from the Centre."

"The stock started coming from this month. And from third week of June excessive stock of fertilisers would be seen," he said.

"So far, 63 to 70 per cent of stock has been distributed in the state. Yet, there has been a shortage of fertilisers in several parts of the state", he added.

"In order to curb the black-marketing of fertilisers, we have started conducting raids and also cancelled the licenses of traders supplying bogus seeds," Deokar said.