Ban on Ola Cabs lifted in Karnataka within 2 days
Only two days after suspending the license of Ola Cabs and banning it from operating for six months, the Karnataka government has reportedly lifted the ban. Ola Cabs has been allowed to operate from Sunday. Karnataka's Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge tweeted Ola Cabs "will run their business as usual." It was banned for illegally operating bike taxis violating the government rules. Here's more.
Urgent need for policies to catch-up with new technologies: Kharge
Kharge tweeted, "@Olacabs will run their business as usual from today. However there is an urgent need for policies to catch-up with new technologies & also industries too should work closer with Govt to help evolve policies for innovations." The Minister's tweet comes after the ban on Ola Cabs was questioned by many on Twitter, raising concerns over the livelihood of Ola Cabs' drivers.
Here's what Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge tweeted
Ola Cabs violated Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules
The Transport Department of the Karnataka government had earlier suspended the license issued to M/s Ani Technologies Pvt Ltd, Ola Cabs, Bangalore for six months. The suspension order dated 18 March was issued by the Department on 22 March. The app-based cab aggregator was banned for violating the Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016.
Kharge earlier said he would have the issue resolved soon
After the Transport Department issued the suspension order against Ola Cabs, Kharge had, responding to a tweet, said that he was in talks with Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy. He also said that he would have the issue resolved. He had tweeted, "Our Govt will maintain a healthy balance between investors, industries, consumers & welfare within the ambit of law."
'Our Govt will maintain a healthy balance,' tweeted Kharge
Seized bikes operating as bike taxis for Ola: Transport Department
The order issued on Friday stated that the Transport Department had also impounded many bike taxis of Ola Cabs. An excerpt from the notice read, "Earlier this year, Transport Department officials had seized several bikes which were operating as bike taxis for Ola."
We have been closely working with the authorities: Ola Cabs
After the suspension order was issued, Ola Cabs termed it "unfortunate". At the time, Ola Cabs said, "This notification is unfortunate, and we look forward to an opportunity to address these concerns directly with state officials..." "We have been closely working with the authorities on this topic, responding to queries and making proactive representations to the ministry," Ola Cabs said in a statement.
