Latest news with #Kalaskar
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ola, Uber & Rapido told to justify rates; RTA-approved fares to pinch pocket
The transport commissioner 's office on Tuesday directed Ola , Uber and Rapido to submit a written explanation on how they determine fares as Indian Gig Workers' Front continued a pause on the strike of app-based cabs , which was going to be resumed on Wednesday. Additional transport commissioner Bharat Kalaskar said, "We had two meetings on Tuesday with firm officials and union leaders. After discussions, we decided that Ola, Uber, and Rapido should provide us with a written explanation on how they determine the app-based fares for cabs and autorickshaws in various cities, and how much they differ from the RTO-approved rates." The demand for high fares has been the reason for agitation by hundreds of drivers across the state. Kalaskar said he has asked the aggregator company if any drivers' IDs have been blocked lately for charging at RTA-approved rates, those IDs should be reactivated. In Pune, the RTA approved fares stand at Rs. 75 for the first 3km and then Rs 25 for every subsequent km. If RTA-approved fare system, as assured by the state transport department, comes into effect, a 10km cab ride for people would cost at least Rs 249.50. At present, the average cab fare (non-surge) for the same distance is around Rs 175 for a basic Uber ride (Uber Go). Commuters blamed the Pune RTO for letting the issue escalate. "They should have acted when this whole issue started. But they hid under the garb that commuters would be affected if they took action. Aren't we facing the problems now?" Kalpana Seth, a bank employee from Kondhwa, said. Maharashtra Kamgar Sena president Keshav Kshirsagar said: "The (state transport department) officials have assured us Ola, Uber and Rapido will give a written assurance to the department on Wednesday on introducing RTA-based fares on their platforms. In the application they will also mention the date from which the RTA-approved fares will get reflected." Prashant Sawardekar, president of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transporters , said, "The transport officials informed us on Tuesday that govt will soon come out with a new policy, which will define the fares for app-based cabs. But we are against this state policy, as Centre has issued guidelines that are completely different. The central guidelines for aggregators mention that the surge price for cabs can go up to 50% of the base fare (which is up to Rs 48 per km). This is not part of the state draft policy." Sushmita Ghosh took to X on Tuesday and posted, "...New airport has all possible inconveniences. The drivers are accepting rides from tired and frustrated travellers, but upon arrival cancelling the trip and telling the passengers to pay Rs 300-400 more." Aneesha Acharya replied to the post and posted, "Today, I booked an Uber ride to go to a hospital in Pimpri from the camp area. Fare on app was Rs 295. On arrival the driver insisted that I pay Rs 700 for 20km. I called Uber support and was shocked to hear 'you have to pay by meter, rates not yet fixed'."
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ola, Uber & Rapido told to justify rates; RTA-approved fares to pinch pocket
Mumbai/Pune: The transport commissioner's office on Tuesday directed Ola , Uber and Rapido to submit a written explanation on how they determine fares as Indian Gig Workers' Front continued a pause on the strike of app-based cabs, which was going to be resumed on Wednesday. Additional transport commissioner Bharat Kalaskar said, "We had two meetings on Tuesday with firm officials and union leaders. After discussions, we decided that Ola, Uber, and Rapido should provide us with a written explanation on how they determine the app-based fares for cabs and autorickshaws in various cities, and how much they differ from the RTO-approved rates." The demand for high fares has been the reason for agitation by hundreds of drivers across the state. Kalaskar said he has asked the aggregator company if any drivers' IDs have been blocked lately for charging at RTA-approved rates, those IDs should be reactivated. In Pune, the RTA approved fares stand at Rs. 75 for the first 3km and then Rs 25 for every subsequent km. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune If RTA-approved fare system, as assured by the state transport department, comes into effect, a 10km cab ride for people would cost at least Rs 249.50. At present, the average cab fare (non-surge) for the same distance is around Rs 175 for a basic Uber ride (Uber Go). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Desert Order Undo Commuters blamed the Pune RTO for letting the issue escalate. "They should have acted when this whole issue started. But they hid under the garb that commuters would be affected if they took action. Aren't we facing the problems now?" Kalpana Seth, a bank employee from Kondhwa, said. Maharashtra Kamgar Sena president Keshav Kshirsagar said: "The (state transport department) officials have assured us Ola, Uber and Rapido will give a written assurance to the department on Wednesday on introducing RTA-based fares on their platforms. In the application they will also mention the date from which the RTA-approved fares will get reflected." Prashant Sawardekar, president of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transporters, said, "The transport officials informed us on Tuesday that govt will soon come out with a new policy, which will define the fares for app-based cabs. But we are against this state policy, as Centre has issued guidelines that are completely different. The central guidelines for aggregators mention that the surge price for cabs can go up to 50% of the base fare (which is up to Rs 48 per km). This is not part of the state draft policy." Sushmita Ghosh took to X on Tuesday and posted, "...New airport has all possible inconveniences. The drivers are accepting rides from tired and frustrated travellers, but upon arrival cancelling the trip and telling the passengers to pay Rs 300-400 more." Aneesha Acharya replied to the post and posted, "Today, I booked an Uber ride to go to a hospital in Pimpri from the camp area. Fare on app was Rs 295. On arrival the driver insisted that I pay Rs 700 for 20km. I called Uber support and was shocked to hear 'you have to pay by meter, rates not yet fixed'."
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Physician explains brain fog isn't just fatigue: Here's what post Covid 19 patients should know
Back in October 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, The New York Times reported that brain fog is defined by memory loss, confusion, difficulty focusing, dizziness, and even having trouble speaking everyday words. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Anand Kalaskar, general physician, Apollo Clinic, Nigdi explained how brain fog can have detrimental impacts on everyday life. Also read | Say goodbye to brain fog: Diet plan for sharper focus, memory and mental clarity Brain fog is a common condition characterised by cognitive impairment such as difficulty concentrating, memory issues, and decreased mental clarity, among others. (Pexels) What is brain fog and what are its symptoms? Dr Kalaskar said, 'Brain fog is a nonprofessional term commonly used to describe a set of cognitive symptoms that include lapses in memory, difficulty with concentration, mental sluggishness, and reduced thought clarity.' This brain fog reportedly affects people who have had mild Covid-19 symptoms as well as those who experienced severe symptoms — it ranges. Dr Kalaskar added, 'In post-Covid-19 patients, brain fog is typically presented as forgetfulness, word-finding difficulty, slowing of processing speed, or persistent mental fatigue. The patients experience themselves as working in a fog and having difficulty focusing or getting things done effectively. The symptoms persist for weeks or months after recovery from acute infection.' Brain fog vs tiredness According to Dr Kalaskar, benign tiredness or fatigue usually resolves with rest, is not notably impairing cognition, and is generally nonspecific. Conversely, he said, neurological impairment from Covid-19 'usually includes objective cognitive impairments such as compromised memory, attentional impairment, disorientation, or executive dysfunction'. 'Clinically, if a patient presents with persistent cognitive impairment interfering with work or activities of daily living, particularly if these are accompanied by headache, dizziness, sleep, or mood change, neurological assessment is warranted. Even in patients with mild illness, brain fog can occur, and so complaints of cognition should not be written off as simple tiredness,' Dr Kalaskar said. Dr Kalaskar added that post-Covid-19, brain fog has been thought to be due to prolonged neuroinflammation provoked by a hyperimmune reaction to infection. 'Microvascular damage – micro clots or endothelial dysfunction – has also been thought to incapacitate oxygen and nutrient supply to brain tissue. Central nervous system invasion by the virus, blood-brain barrier disruption, and autonomic nervous system dysregulation have also been proposed. Mental issues like anxiety, depression, and post-viral fatigue also add to these symptoms,' he said. Can you get tested for brain fog? Dr Kalaskar shared that neurologists resort to 'a combination of clinical evaluation, cognitive screening tests, and imaging when necessary'. Routine tests are the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for memory, attention, and executive function, he said. 'In some cases, more detailed neuropsychological testing is indicated. MRI or functional MRI can be advised to exclude structural changes or vascular illness. Blood tests for inflammatory markers, thyroid function, vitamin B12, and D-dimer can be used to exclude other etiologies. Referral to a multidisciplinary long Covid-19 clinic may be indicated in severe or prolonged cases,' Dr Kalaskar said. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
