Delhi govt asks IT ministry to block Uber and Ola apps

Radio cab companies have been told to install emergency buttons and tracking devices

GN Bureau | March 25, 2015


#radio cabs   #taxi service   #uber   #ola   #delhi government  

The Delhi state government has urged the ministry of Information Technology of India to block mobile applications of cab services Uber and Ola.

On Tuesday, Delhi transport officials had asked US-based Uber and Indian company Ola to cease all operations in the national capital, failure of which would lead the state government to not process their radio taxi license applications to operate in the city in future.

Rules set by Delhi's transport department in December last require companies operating taxi-hailing apps to install emergency buttons in their cabs and have tracking devices. "In order to process your application further, I am directed to seek a sworn affidavit declaring therein that you are complying with the ban order imposed upon your company in letter and spirit," an official from the transport department wrote.

The action against web-based taxi companies came after a rape incident involving a driver contracted to Uber in December last year.  The Uber taxi in which the alleged rape took place did not have a GPS installed on it.

The Delhi government has ordered all taxi operators plying in the national capital to install GPS in their vehicles. The directive will be enforced on all types of taxis.

The Delhi government had told the Delhi High Court that the government is taking action against taxi drivers found violating the ban imposed on unauthorised operation of radio taxis.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw was informed early this month by Delhi government's Standing Counsel Zubeda Begum that the department has banned Uber and Ola app-based cabs services and have also sent recommendation to the Centre to block their websites.

She, however, sought time to respond on the plying of the diesel-powered inter-state taxis in the national capital, which is violating the Supreme Court directive.

She contended that the Deputy Commissioner of transport department has also requested Delhi Traffic police to take appropriate action against the taxi operators found violating the ban orders.

She also said that the transport department has modified the Radio Taxi Scheme, 2006 and has laid down the terms and conditions for licensing of taxi services, which have come into force from December 2014.

Comments

 

Other News

Changing weather patterns, climate change responsible for Nepal floods

The interaction between active Western Disturbances, increased atmospheric moisture and the region’s complex topography aswell as global warming are important factors behind intense rainfall in the Himalayas, leading to flash floods in Nepal, according to meteorologists. Nepal

A right she cannot reach

Last summer, the two of us spent several weeks in rural Madhya Pradesh with a non-profit that works on gender justice through women’s self-help groups. We went in with a notebook full of laws. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. The Dowry Prohibition Act. Free legal aid for every wo

Tier-2 cities lead India’s digital credit push

Digital payments have become a reflex for urban India, but the confidence earned in paying has not yet carried over to borrowing. That is the central finding of `How Urban India Pays Report 2026`, released by Pahlé India Foundation in collaboration with Amazon Pay. Based on a survey of 5,149 consu

India calls for doubling bilateral trade with UK by 2030

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal has called upon businesses in India and the United Kingdom to translate the opportunities created by the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) into expanded trade, investment, partnerships and job creation. Addressing the Bu

Gandhian movement after Gandhi failed: Ram Guha

The Gandhian movement in India, after Gandhi’s death, failed, says Ramachandra Guha, and blames Vinoba Bhave for it. But the movement found new, fertile grounds around the world and succeeded in bringing about a change in South Africa, the US and elsewhere. It is high time it returned home. Of cour

When religion, politics and Bollywood come together

Tavleen Singh, noted journalist and political commentator, has turned to fiction, with her debut novel ‘The Actor’ (HaperCollins India). Set in the near future, it has a superstar, Amit Singh, turning to politics, when the political landscape is dominated by prime minister Guru Gaynendraj

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter