Rajnath Singh tells state governments to ban all web-based taxi services

The order extends nationwide a Delhi state government order to ban such services in the national capital

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called upon state governments and union territories to ban all web-based taxi services. 

The advisory comes on the heels of widespread outrage over the rape of a 27 year old woman by a taxi driver registered with the mobile app-based Uber service. 

"The Ministry of Home Affairs has advised the State Governments/ UT Administrations to ensure that the operations of the web based taxi services are stopped and such service providers which are not licensed with the State Governments/ UT Administrations are prohibited to operate till they get themselves registered with the State Governments/ UT Administrations," Singh said in the Rajya Sabha Tuesday.

The move, if implemented by state governments, will lead to cancellation of services such as Uber, Ola and TaxiFor Sure. The Delhi state government had on Monday issued orders to ban all three taxi services; that order has now been extended nationally by the Home Ministry. 

Earlier in the day, reports said that such web-based taxi services were still continuing in the national capital despite the Transport Department's directive. 

"The Delhi Police is also exploring the issue of possible legal liability of the taxi service UBER, in the crime committed," the home minister said in his statement. 

Singh also condemned the act, saying "The Government of India strongly condemns this dastardly act. It will be ensured that all necessary steps are taken to bring the offender to justice."