The debate over allowing the plying of app-based cabs Uber, Ola cabs and TaxiForSure rages on as the Government is undecided on their fate. While the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has shot off letters to all internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to the three app-based cab services in Delhi to prevent users from booking taxis through mobile apps and websites of these aggregators after a request from the Delhi Government which was finding it difficult to regulate them, the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is of a different view.
A MoRTH official requesting anonymity said, “blocking the use of app-based cab services will only inconvenience the public”. “The DoT has asked all ISPs to comply with the order immediately or face action but it is their prerogative. We (MoRTH) cannot restrict them from plying as they are not governed under the Motor Vehicles Act. Under the proposed laws we will bring the app-based services under the under section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988,” said the official.
“We will send the advisory to all States on Friday, to regulate their service and make travel safe for commuters and it will hold valid until the new MV Act is finalised,” he said. According to the orders of the DoT, the services will be blocked in Delhi, but these aggregators can operate across other cities in the country.
According to sources, DoT ordered blocking the websites under Section 69A of Information Technology Act, 2000 and Information Technology (Procedures and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009. The DoT official said that following a request from the Delhi Government, a committee was formed in DeitY to look into the matter. The committee recommended blocking the apps and DeitY asked DoT to issue the order regarding the same.
However, despite the ban, people are still able to access the services of these operators. The aggregator based cab services came under fire from all quarters after a 27-year-old woman executive was raped by an Uber cab driver. Following the incident, the Delhi Government sought the banning of all app-based services, as the cabs were unregistered and were plying without any license. Even as the cab aggregators insisted that they were only service providers, connecting people to cabs, the Delhi Government approached the IT seeking their ban citing regulation issues. None of the three app-based cab providers were available for comment.