Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in Parliament that the government will soon launch ‘Sahkar Taxi’, a cooperative-based ride-hailing service aimed at ensuring direct benefits for drivers. The initiative, modeled after Ola and Uber, will enable cooperative societies to register two-wheelers, taxis, rickshaws, and four-wheelers without middlemen taking a share of drivers’ earnings.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Shah stressed that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation). “This is not just a slogan. The Ministry of Cooperation has worked tirelessly for over three years to bring this idea to life. Within a few months, a major cooperative taxi service will be launched to ensure that drivers earn their full share,” he stated.
The announcement comes at a time when Ola and Uber face increasing scrutiny over allegations of discriminatory pricing. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) recently issued notices to both companies following reports that ride fares varied depending on whether a user booked through an iPhone or an Android device.
While Ola denied any platform-based price discrimination, asserting that it follows a uniform pricing policy, Uber also refuted the claims, stating that its fare calculations do not consider the rider’s phone model. Both companies have expressed willingness to cooperate with the CCPA’s inquiry.
The controversy gained momentum in December 2024, after a viral post on X showed two different fares for the same Uber ride on two different phone models, sparking a widespread debate on digital pricing policies.
Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi condemned such differential pricing as an “unfair trade practice” and announced a broader government investigation into pricing strategies across other sectors, including food delivery services and online ticketing platforms, to safeguard consumer rights.
With the introduction of Sahkar Taxi, the government aims to create a transparent, driver-friendly alternative in the ride-hailing industry while addressing growing concerns over pricing fairness in digital marketplaces.
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