Bike Taxi Ban: Supreme Court Gives Delhi Govt Time Till Sep 30 To Finalise Policy

SUMMARY

The Delhi government, which earlier told the Court it would notify the policy by July 31, sought an extension of the deadline

While Uber’s counsel didn’t object to the decision to grant an extension, Rapido (Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited) was not present in the court

At the heart of the matter is the Delhi transport department’s decision to ban bike aggregator services offered by the likes of Uber and Rapido in February this year

The Supreme Court on Monday (August 14) extended the time granted to the Delhi government to finalise the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme, which would regulate operations of bike taxis, till September 30.

The Delhi government had moved the court seeking an extension of the deadline, LiveLaw reported.

“The application is allowed and extension of time for issuing notification on Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme, 2023 is extended till September 30, 2023,” a bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi said.

At the heart of the matter is the Delhi transport department’s decision to ban bike aggregator services offered by the likes of Uber and Rapido in February this year. It also said that a fine of INR 1 Lakh would be slapped on the aggregators flouting the norms.

Since then, the Delhi government and aggregators have been involved in a legal battle. In June, the Supreme Court stayed an order of the Delhi High Court allowing bike aggregators to continue their operations until the regulations are notified.

The Delhi government then told the Supreme Court that it would formulate the new policy by July 31.

During Monday’s hearing, the court asked the government’s Counsel about the reason behind the delay. The Counsel replied that while the government is in the process of formulating the policy, it will take some more time for it to be finalised.

While Uber’s counsel didn’t object to the decision to grant an extension, Rapido (Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited) was not present in the court.

“We do not think it is necessary to wait for Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited as they have chosen not to appear inspite of service,” the report quoted the SC order as saying.

It must be noted that amid the tussle over the operations of bike taxi aggregators, the Delhi government issued the draft policy in May this year. The draft proposed allowing all bike taxis and two-wheeler renting services, provided the two-wheelers in questions were electric vehicles.