Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in Parliament the launch of 'Sahkar Taxi,' a cooperative-based ride-hailing service aimed at benefiting drivers directly. Based on the models of platforms like Ola and Uber, this initiative will allow cooperative societies to register two-wheelers, taxis, rickshaws, and four-wheelers, ensuring that drivers receive their full earnings without middlemen taking a share.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Shah pointed out that the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' (Prosperity through Cooperation), reinforcing the government's commitment to empowering workers in the transport sector.

Home Minister Amit Shah further said that the government's commitment to cooperative growth is more than just a slogan, stating that the Ministry of Cooperation has been actively working for three and a half years to bring this vision to reality. He announced that a large-scale cooperative taxi service would be launched in the coming months, ensuring that drivers receive their earnings directly without any deductions by intermediaries.

The announcement comes at a time when major ride-hailing platforms, Ola and Uber, are facing scrutiny over allegations of discriminatory pricing. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) recently sent notices to both companies after reports shows that ride fares varied depending on whether a user booked through an iPhone or an Android device.

Ola, however, denied the allegations, stating, "We have a uniform pricing structure for all our customers and do not differentiate based on the user’s operating system for identical rides." The company added that it had provided clarifications to the CCPA.

Uber also dismissed the claims, stating that its pricing does not depend on a rider's phone model. "We do not determine fares based on a rider's phone manufacturer. We are ready to work with the CCPA to clear up any misunderstandings," an Uber spokesperson said.

The issue gained attention in December 2024 when a viral post on X showed two different fares for the same Uber ride on separate phones, fueling public debate.

Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi condemned such pricing discrepancies as an "unfair trade practice" and announced a broader investigation into pricing policies across industries, including food delivery and online ticketing platforms, to ensure consumer protection. 

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