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Time of India
a day ago
- 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'."
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
T.N. government discontinues issuance of solvency certificate
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to discontinue the issuance of solvency certificate, a document that indicates the financial stability and the ability of individuals or firms to meet the financial obligations. As per a Government Order issued recently, solvency certificate is no longer required to indicate the financial stability or strength for executing projects. Since the individuals or entities invariably file income tax returns or produces bank guarantee, income tax, GST and VAT clearance certificates wherever they are required, it is said that it was unnecessary for the competent authorities to issue solvency certificate. The decision was taken based on the recommendation of an Empowered Committee, which was constituted to study the problems and challenges faced by the applications in getting solvency certificate and the possibilities of simplifying the process. As per the existing practice, to obtain a solvency certificate, the applicant submits online via the e-seva indicating the land in acres, present value of the property and percentage of ownership share of the property along with the desired amount for which the solvency certificate is sought. Upon furnishing all information and documents, the revenue officials, from Revenue Inspector to Tahsildar, would scrutinise them and issue the certificate within a span of 15 days. However, the Committee observed citizens faced significant challenges in obtaining a solvency certificate due to its one-time validity. It felt that the current process involves extensive documentation, difficulties in acquiring key certificates such as the liability amount certificate and mortgage certificate, and delays caused by the discretionary authority of officials, making the entire procedure complex and inconsistent. It further observed that actual financial stability and strength is often determined by other alternatives such as income tax clearance certificate, auditor's certificate, audited accounts certificate, annual turnover report, balance sheets, GST and VAT clearance certificate, capability certificate from banks, ban account statements, bank guarantee, IT returns, credit line certificate, PAN card, collateral documents and others. These documents had made the solvency certificate redundant and all institutions tend not to rely on it for financial strength and stability to execute projects. The documents appeared to be far more reliable and binding on the parties involved. Hence, the Government had examined the decision of the Empowered Committee considering the challenges faced in obtaining the certificate and decided to accept the decision of the committee. Accordingly, the existing process for issuance of solvency certificate had been discontinued.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Shopkeepers down shutters in Karambakudi condemning the relocation of Fire and Rescue Service station
Shops and business establishments in Karambakudi town in the district remained closed on Tuesday as shopkeepers and members of traders association downed shutters condemning the relocation of the Fire and Rescue Service station from Karambakudi to a site situated seven kilometres away. Barring medical outlets, over 850 shops in the town remained shut for the whole day with shopkeepers and traders staging a demonstration demanding that the Fire and Rescue Service station should continue to function in Karambakudi town and not to relocate it. A road roko agitation was held in support of the traders by the members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other parties where the CPI(M) Gandarvakottai assembly constituency MLA M. Chinnadurai participated. The one-day call for keeping the shops closed on Tuesday was given by the Varthagar Sangam, Vyapaarigal Sangam with support from various political parties, including the Communist Party of India - Marxist. The president of the Karambakudi Vyapaarigal Sangam A. K. Santhiyamoorthy said the station had been functioning in a town panchayat building for over two decades. The station was to be relocated at Pallavarayanpathai which is about seven kilometres away from Karambakudi town, he added. The Karambakudi town has several shops and business establishments, government schools and fuel stations. Relocating the station to a new place which is seven kilometres away from the town would result in time delay while attending to emergencies, he said. Representations had been given to the district administration not to relocate the station. The traders and shopkeepers had suggested a place within the town for the station instead of relocating it. Following the demonstration and road roko, the Revenue Divisional Officer, Pudukottai, Aishwarya, held talks with the shopkeepers, traders and political parties representatives at the taluk office. Sources said following the meeting the RDO said the issue would be brought to the notice of the higher-ups and that the work taken up at Pallavarayanpathai would be suspended. A senior Fire and Rescue Service department official said the station had been functioning in a rented building of the Town Panchayat for nearly 20 years. A Government Order had been issued for the construction of a building to house the station at Pallavarayanpathai at a cost of ₹259.6 lakh. Borwell had been sunk at the new site and power connection had been obtained, the official further said.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh government sets up high-level panel to address concerns on district and mandal boundaries
In a move aimed at streamlining administrative structures while addressing growing public sentiment, the government of Andhra Pradesh has issued orders constituting a Group of Ministers (GoM) to examine and resolve issues raised by citizens and elected representatives regarding the names and boundaries of districts, mandals and villages. According to the Government Order dated July 22, 2025, the government has taken this decision in response to numerous petitions and concerns related to the reshuffling of administrative divisions. The newly constituted Group of Ministers will study these matters in depth and offer their recommendations for final approval. The GoM comprises senior cabinet members, including Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana, Home Affairs and Disaster Management Minister Anitha Vangalapudi, Roads and Buildings Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy, Water Resources Development Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, and Health and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav. The Special Chief Secretary to the Revenue Department will serve as the Convenor of the Committee, coordinating meetings and ensuring the participation of relevant officials when required. The Committee has been tasked with evaluating the practicality of proposed changes, especially from the perspective of administrative efficiency. It will also take into consideration the resolution of disputes involving boundaries of districts, revenue divisions, and mandals, and will assess accessibility to administrative headquarters for the general public. Another key focus of the GoM will be the preservation of historical and cultural affiliations, the need to ensure balanced socio-economic development across regions, and the equitable distribution of population and geographical area to support effective governance. In addition, the panel will examine in detail the representations made by citizens and their elected leaders, with regard to proposed changes in district names, boundaries, administrative headquarters, and related governance arrangements. The Committee will submit a consolidated report with its recommendations to the state government, which will take a final decision based on the findings, said Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand in the GO.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Govt puts Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve proposal on hold
Hyderabad: The Govt puts Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve proposal on hold Government of Telangana has temporarily suspended the proposed Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve, pending further orders. This decision was communicated through a memo issued by the Environment, Forests, Science & Technology (EFS&T) Department on Monday. The conservation reserve was established to create a vital tiger corridor connecting the Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana with the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. This initiative aims to enhance tiger conservation and improve habitat connectivity. It was officially notified through Government Order Ms. No. 49 on May 30, 2025. However, based on recommendations from the District Collector of Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, the EFS&T Department has decided to put this notification on hold. Ahmad Nadeem, Principal Secretary to the Government, issued the directive in response to concerns raised from the district, indicating that the state is reevaluating some operational and administrative implications of the corridor designation. It followed a letter from the Collector dated July 11, 2025, which likely outlined potential challenges related to land use, tribal rights, or ecological balance. However, on the other hand, conservation experts emphasised that while connectivity between protected areas is vital for maintaining healthy tiger populations, such proposals must also consider local socio-economic factors and encourage community engagement.
