App-based cab aggregators like Uber and Ola are not recognised as a separate category by the government and no exception will be made for those claiming to be "aggregators", the transport ministry said on Monday. According to The Times of India, the ministry also said that cab-aggregators will need to register with their respective state government just as regular taxi operators do.
“We don't recognise the aggregators as a separate category . They have to follow the norms set for other taxis by the respective state governments.It's for the states to set norms and implement them. They can follow the provisions in the guidelines,“ road transport secretary Vijay Chhibber told TOI.
Registration under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicle Act is mandatory for all such firms.
In a fresh set of guidelines issued by the Central government to states for "the licensing, compliance and liability of on-demand" IT-based taxi aggregators, several provisions have been made focusing on disciplined drivers and on making operators accountable for ensuring passenger safety, a ministry official told the newspaper.
Some of the provisions include a feature in the mobile app which will help passengers call the police in emergency situations and vehicles should also have tracking systems like GPS. Apart from verification of details, drivers against whom investigations are on for complaints like misbehaving with passengers, drunk-driving, sexual offences or violence should not be included in the system, are some of the other rules mentioned in the guidelines, adds the report.