NCP, Cong oppose stringent rules for app-based cab services

NCP and Congress today said they would oppose the stringent rules framed by Maharashtra Home Department for the mobile app-based cab aggregator services like Ola and Uber.
The new rules could force such services to close down, the two parties said, adding that the issue would be raised in the ongoing budget session of state legislature.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde (NCP) said, "We will raise the issue in the Council this week so that ordinary Mumbai residents are not inconvenienced due to these new rules."
Member of Legislative Council and Congress leader Anant Gadgil said the restrictions should be imposed to ensure consumer safety, and not to protect "Kali-Peeli" taxis (the ordinary Black-Yellow taxis plying on Mumbai roads).

"In USA too there are restrictions on Ola and Uber, but they are not so stringent. In the US even engineering students and housewives drive app-based taxis for extra income," Gadgil said.
The BJP-led Maharashtra Government introduced new rules for the app-based taxis through two notifications, issued in October 2016 and earlier this month.
License fee for the app-based taxis with engine capacity of 1400 cc and above was set at a steep Rs 2.61 lakh.
The new rules also require the cab aggregator firms to give a hefty bank guarantee.