Ola, Uber operating illegally, can’t overcharge, Delhi govt tells HC

“Unlicensed” cab aggregators like Ola and Uber cannot overcharge in the name of ‘surge price’ or ‘peak time charge’ and they were operating “illegally” in the national Capital, the Delhi government alleged on Saturday.

“The alleged unlicensed aggregators namely Ola and Uber are operating illegally as their applications for license were rejected by the transport department vide order dated June 28, 2015,” AAP government’s transport department said in an affidavit in the Delhi High Court.  

“Not only the app-based companies are unlicensed but they are also not allowed to charge more than prescribed rates of fare in the shape of ‘surge price’ or ‘peak time charge’ and punitive actions are being taken against violators by the enforcement teams of the department and Delhi traffic police is also being requested to stop illegal operations by these app based operators,” it said.

The government’s response came on a plea filed by Magic Sewa Pvt Ltd which has alleged that certain unlicensed taxi aggregators “have been disdainfully violating” its notification on fares by charging very low amounts like Rs five per km or as high as Rs 38 per km. 

It, however, informed the court in its affidavit filed by their counsel Sanjoy Ghose that to “regulate auto rickshaws and taxi services, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) under relevant provisions of section 93, 95 and 96 introduced a scheme called ‘City Taxi Scheme 2015’ vide notification dated August 26, 2015.