Authorities order to end unauthorised web-based taxi services

CHANDIGARH: Authorities have directed secretaries of regional transport authorities across the state to take immediate action to put an end to any unauthorised services provided by web-based taxi operators.

The Haryana Transport Commissioner has also ordered the secretaries of the RTAs to take immediate steps to advise people against hiring any transport service provided by such companies until they have obtained necessary licence or permission from the state governments or Union Territory administrations.

The communication has been sent after the receipt of a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs, directing states to stop all such transport services.

It comes in the wake of rape of a 27-year-old finance company executive by an Uber (US-based firm) cab driver, a Haryana Government release said here tonight.

The Haryana Government had formulated a Radio Cab Scheme in 2007 for the grant of contract carriage permits to the operators in the areas lying within 50 kms on all sides of the district headquarters of Gurgaon, Faridabad and Panchkula falling in the state.

According to the release, the communication states that only seven permits had been granted in Gurgaon district out of which three have not been renewed.

The four companies whose permits are valid are: M/s Sonam Rent A Car Sushant Lok Ph-I, Gurgaon with total 30 permits valid up to October 7, 2018; M/s Surya Infracon Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon with 100 permits valid up to October 9, 2016; M/s Quick Cabs Pvt. Ltd, Gurgaon, with 20 permits valid up to June 11, 2017; and M/s Apra Cabs India Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon, with 125 permits valid up to May 28, 2017.

No permit has been granted in Faridabad and Panchkula districts.

The RTA secretaries have been told to ensure that the companies which have valid permits strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of the scheme.

They have also been directed to ensure that the antecedents of the drivers deployed on these contract carriage cabs are properly verified by the Haryana Police.