Delhi government issues warning to Uber, Ola cabs on licence issue

New Delhi: In a stern warning, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday said the government will not consider applications for licence from app-based taxi operators Uber and Ola Cabs unless they comply with the existing ban imposed on them.

The AAP government has decided to again write to the Centre to block the apps of these two taxi aggregators and take strict action against them for not complying with the ban order.

The government on May 28 had directed Uber and Ola Cabs to submit details of their drivers and vehicles if they wanted to "regularise" their services in the city, but according to the minister, they have "not turned up" so far.

"We will not issue licences to Uber and Ola Cabs to operate their taxis in the capital unless they follow existing ban imposed by the city's government."

"They have been asked to first give an undertaking in this regard, but they are avoiding. Out stand is clear that both Uber and Ola Cabs have to comply with the ban order if they want their applications for a licence to be considered by the government".

All app-based cab service were banned in the national capital after a driver of Uber, the US-based online cab service provider, was accused of raping a woman passenger in December, 2014.

The Delhi government in March had approached the Centre to block web-based apps of taxi operators Uber, Ola Cabs and TaxiForSure alleging that these companies were not complying with its ban order imposed on them.

"We will soon send a reminder to the central government to take action against Uber and Ola Cabs for not complying with the ban order. As city government can not block the app of these companies, we will again approach the Centre to do the same," he also said.

The transport minister added that these taxi aggregators have to take responsibility of safety of passengers travelling in their vehicles.

"We are working on a special plan to take action against banned taxi services in the capital. Several teams will be formed to seize the taxis of such companies," Rai added.

Incidentally, Uber has landed in another controversy with one of its drivers being accused of molesting a woman passenger on May 31 during a ride to Gurgaon.