Shah said that the model would empower drivers economically by allowing them to retain the earnings generated through the platform.
Photo: IANS/File
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Centre’s cooperative-based “Bharat Taxi” initiative will be rolled out in West Bengal, a project that aims to transform taxi drivers into vehicle owners and stakeholders, instead of remaining commission-paying service providers.
Speaking in Kolkata on Sunday, Shah said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed on Sunday to facilitate the introduction of the Bharat Taxi model in the state.
Advertisement
“We have entered into an agreement with Bharat Taxi with the objective of ensuring that the taxi driver becomes the owner of the vehicle,” Shah said.
Advertisement
He added that the cooperative model would empower drivers economically by allowing them to retain the earnings generated through the platform rather than sharing a substantial portion with private aggregators.
The union minister said the concept of “Sarathi” had been introduced under the Bharat Taxi initiative, under which drivers would not merely provide transport services but would also become owners of both their vehicles and the cooperative platform.
According to Shah, the profits generated through the service would go directly to the drivers, strengthening their financial security and reducing dependence on private app-based operators.
Criticising the business model of private ride-hailing companies, Shah alleged that app-based aggregators charge high commissions from drivers, reducing their income despite rising operational costs.
He said the Bharat Taxi platform had been conceived as a cooperative alternative designed to safeguard the interests of drivers while ensuring better returns for them.
The Bharat Taxi initiative was launched earlier this year by the Ministry of Cooperation.
It was initially introduced in 14 cities in Gujarat, with the Centre announcing plans for a phased nationwide expansion.
Sunday’s MoU marks the first formal step towards implementing the cooperative taxi service in West Bengal.
Under the proposed model, drivers are expected to receive the entire fare paid by passengers, unlike the prevailing system in which a significant percentage is deducted as platform commission.
They will also become members and stakeholders of the cooperative managing the service.
Addressing the same programme, Shah also welcomed the establishment of Amul’s new yoghurt production facility in West Bengal.
He said the project would create one of the world’s largest yoghurt production centres and significantly benefit dairy farmers and livestock rearers in the state.
According to him, the facility would strengthen the dairy value chain and enable yoghurt produced in West Bengal to reach markets across the country, generating greater income opportunities for rural producers.
Advertisement
