HC asks govt to convene meeting with cab operators

The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the AAP government to convene within a week a meeting with representatives of app-based cab aggregators Ola and Uber, which are allegedly operating "illegally", to see if they are interested in getting a fresh licences from the government. Besides these two stakeholders, Justice J R Midha also asked the Delhi government to call a meeting with another public transport service which offers rides in autorickshaw through an app called 'Jugnoo'.

"This court is of the view that the Secretary, transport department of Delhi government, shall convene a meeting with all the stakeholders (three app-based companies) to see if they are interested in getting the licence.

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"The companies authorised representatives shall attend the meeting and share their views on the issue," the court said, adding the same be held in a week from today.

The court's suggestion in form of an order came after it was told that alleged unlicensed aggregators, Ola and Uber, are operating illegally as their applications for licence were rejected by the transport department on June 28, 2015.

Meanwhile, counsel appearing for the app-based companies told the court that they have no issue in getting the licence and earlier their representation to the government were turned down.

Hearing which, the court said the government should give them a chance to apply for fresh licence, as at present the Delhi government has shortage of public transport.

"There should be some proper facility, so that public do not have to suffer. Call all the stakeholders and float a fair scheme," the court said, adding that "if all of you sit together, I know the difficulties raised by the taxi operators will come to an end".

The court said the status report of the meeting shall be filed by May 10.

The court was hearing a plea filed by Magic Sewa Pvt Ltd which has alleged that certain unlicensed taxi aggregators "have been disdainfully violating" government's notification on fares by charging very low amounts like Rs five per km or as high as Rs 38 per km.