NEW DELHI: A day after Delhi High asked the state government to make an application-based cab services policy, state transport minister Satyendra Jain on Wednesday said that a policy for application-based cab services has been prepared.
On the basis of central government’s recommendations, Jain has prepared the policy papers for the application based cab services like Ola and Uber in the national capital.
“To regulate the app-based cab services, we have prepared a policy. It is based on the policy that was earlier made for premium bus services. The cab service provider cannot charge extra and take hidden prices. Everything has to be declared, no extra prices will be allowed,” Jain said.
Jain also said the government is planning to install meters in all cabs and people will be charged according to that. “The GPS installation process is being discussed and will be finalised later,” he added.
Jain said that the policy will be sent to Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung for final approval and cnce approved, it will be notified by the state government.
According to the policy, all application-based cabs will ply by meter and within the prescribed fare approved by the government and there will be no surcharge and fare beyond the rate fixed by the government. The commuters will be informed about the tariff to be made compulsory and GPS installation is mandatory as per the policy.
The policy has been prepared to curb irregularities by app-based cab services like Ola and Uber.
On Tuesday, the High Court said there is need for a “good” and “model” law for regulating app-based cab services, like Ola and Uber, as it will be helpful to the people and would bring in more clarity.
Justice Manmohan said he would set up a panel comprising two senior officials each from the Delhi government and the Centre and one expert who can then hear all the stakeholders, including app-based cab services, radio taxis and consumers, and then come out with a model law.
“I find that this cab business is a great field for litigation. All of them are working at cross purposes. So I think we need a good law. It will facilitate consumers and there will be clarity,” the court said.
The court said app-based cab companies will have to abide by the rates stipulated by the state government till the panel comes out with its model law.