Amit Shah: Bharat Taxi Will End Exploitation Of Drivers And Customers
Amit Shah says Bharat Taxi aims to protect drivers and customers from exploitation.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the cooperative ride-hailing platform “Bharat Taxi” was created to address what he described as long-standing exploitation of both drivers and passengers in the app-based taxi sector. He made the remarks while speaking at the Gujarat launch of the initiative, outlining its purpose as a driver-owned alternative to existing private platforms.
Shah said the idea for Bharat Taxi emerged after repeated complaints from drivers and commuters regarding fare deductions, delays in payments, and sudden account suspensions by app-based companies. He alleged that drivers often faced arbitrary penalties without proper hearings, while passengers also experienced inconsistent service conditions under current ride-hailing systems.
The Home Minister stated that he had engaged with several drivers and members of the public over time, which led to discussions on whether legislative measures alone could resolve such issues. He suggested that legal frameworks, while important, may not fully address structural problems in the sector, prompting the search for a different model.
Also Read: Amit Shah Launches Bharat Taxi Cooperative Ride-Hailing Initiative In Gujarat
Shah said the solution was found in the cooperative structure, where drivers—referred to as “Sarathis”—would also be stakeholders in the platform. He compared the model to successful Indian cooperatives such as Amul, IFFCO, and KRIBHCO, saying such institutions have demonstrated that collective ownership can ensure fair distribution of earnings and benefits.
He said the primary objective of Bharat Taxi is to eliminate exploitation in the system and restore dignity to drivers by ensuring they are not dependent on private app-based companies for registration or earnings. According to him, the cooperative model is designed so that both drivers and customers can benefit from a more transparent and equitable system.
Shah added that Bharat Taxi reflects a broader effort to apply cooperative principles to new-age sectors, combining technology with member ownership. He said the initiative aims to create a system where earnings flow directly to drivers and where both service providers and users experience greater fairness and accountability.
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