Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in Parliament that the government is set to both introduce ‘Sahkar Taxi’, a cooperative-based ride-hailing service designed to benefit drivers directly
The initiative, modelled after app-based services like Ola and Uber, will allow cooperative societies to register two-wheelers, taxis, rickshaws, and four-wheelers without intermediaries taking a cut from drivers’ earnings.
Speaking in Lok Sabha, Shah emphasised that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation).
“This is not just a slogan. The Ministry of Cooperation has worked relentlessly for three and a half years to implement this on the ground. In a few months, a major cooperative taxi service will be launched, ensuring direct profit flow to the drivers,” the Home Minister said.
The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny of major ride-hailing platforms, Ola and Uber, following allegations of discriminatory pricing.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) recently issued notices to both companies after reports surfaced suggesting that ride fares varied based on whether a user was booking via an iPhone or an Android device.
In response to the allegations, Ola refuted claims of platform-based price discrimination. “We have a uniform pricing structure for all our customers and do not differentiate based on the operating system of the user’s cellphone for identical rides,” the company stated, adding that it had provided clarifications to the CCPA.
Uber also denied the accusations, asserting that pricing is not determined by a rider’s phone model. “We do not set prices based on a rider’s phone manufacturer. We look forward to working with the CCPA to resolve any misunderstanding,” an Uber spokesperson said.
The controversy gained traction in December 2024 after a social media post on X showed two phones displaying different fares for the same Uber ride, sparking widespread debate.
Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi weighed in on the matter, labelling such differential pricing as an “unfair trade practice”. He further announced that the government would extend its investigation into pricing strategies across other sectors, including food delivery and online ticketing platforms, to ensure consumer protection against possible exploitative practices.