Latest news with #PratikShah
Mint
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Single-window licensing portal for cab aggregators may go live by year-end
New Delhi: The government may launch a centralised portal for ride-hailing platforms, offering a single-window clearance system for aggregator licence applications. The portal is expected to go live in the next three to four months, two people familiar with the development said. The ministry of road transport and highways plans to streamline and speed up the licensing process for cab aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido across states by integrating the approval mechanisms of individual state governments, the first person said. 'Work on developing a central portal for cab aggregators has already begun and is likely to begin service before the end of the year, around October-November. Till such time, the state governments would process applications for a licence, as per existing guidelines," the second person quoted above said. The development follows the ministry's move to issue the Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines 2025 earlier this month, seeking to streamline cab aggregator services in the country. The guidelines define the rights and duties of the service provider and the customer. They prescribe rules for pricing, and employment of drivers, and also propose psychological analysis of drivers to determine whether they are fit to be onboarded. 'A larger bouquet of services are expected to be offered by the proposed central portal in phases. But initially the portal will receive applications for licence as aggregator, including receipt of appropriate application fee, license fee and security deposit," said the first person. A unified process of accepting and issuing licences would allow companies to enter new markets more quickly, supporting growth and innovation. It would also reduce the need for navigating state-specific legal and procedural requirements, cutting down on intermediary and advisory expenses, said Pratik Shah, Partner, EY-Parthenon. 'However, successful implementation will depend on how well the central and state authorities collaborate, and whether the platform has a binding mandate," he added. What the industry said Industry players have largely welcomed the move. 'Aggregators like ours, which operate pan-India at a national scale, will undoubtedly benefit from a streamlined and uniform regulatory framework that supports both innovation and ease of doing business," said a spokesperson from Rapido. 'Currently, navigating multiple state-level processes can often lead to varied interpretations, procedural duplications, and extended timelines… A single window system would definitely help reduce compliance complexity and bring much-needed consistency across jurisdictions," the spokesperson added. Queries sent to the transport ministry, Uber and Ola did not elicit a response till press time. While state governments play a crucial role in processing aggregator license applications, the absence of a uniform approach across states is a major challenge for the industry. Currently, ride-hailing players face delays in states where the licensing ecosystem is still maturing or involves layered approval structures, leading to repetitive submissions of the same corporate documents, driver and vehicle data, and technical affidavits in each individual state, EY's Shah said. 'Aggregators had previously argued that state-level variations in licensing rules, compliance requirements, and enforcement created regulatory uncertainty and duplicative costs," said an industry executive in the know of the matter. 'The centralized portal idea reflects a huge pain point that platforms have dealt with for years," said another industry executive. Compliance burden will be reduced if platforms have a single-window central portal, a source from an aggregator said on condition of anonymity. "The current process with state governments causes significant delays and duplication of efforts." The updated rules permit ride aggregators to use dynamic pricing—where fares change in real time based on demand and supply—within specified limits. Aggregators can now charge up to twice the base fare during peak hours—an increase from the earlier cap of 1.5 times. During non-peak hours, fares must be at least 50% of the base fare. Additionally, the base fare must cover a minimum distance of three kilometres to account for "dead mileage," which includes the distance travelled without a passenger and the fuel used to reach the pickup point Moreover, the base fare charged to passengers using aggregator services will be determined by the fare rates notified by the respective state government for each category or class of motor vehicles. The guidelines also revise the revenue-sharing model, allowing drivers to retain up to 80% of the fare if they own the vehicle and are directly onboarded by the aggregator. Additionally, cancellation charges—whether initiated by the driver or passenger—will be 10% of the fare, capped at ₹100. The aggregator licence fee has been set at ₹5 lakh, valid for five years from the date of issue. Aggregators must also submit a security deposit ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh, depending on their fleet size. Additionally, the guidelines introduce mandatory training modules for drivers and outline compliance requirements.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ola transforms ride-hailing with new flat fee model: What it means
Ola has made a significant change to its cab-hailing business by introducing a nationwide flat fee model. Under this new structure, drivers can retain 100% of their earnings after paying a fixed daily access charge of Rs 67, The Times of India reported on June 30. This move replaces the previous commission system, where the platform deducted up to 30% per trip. This shift marks a pivotal moment in the economics of ride-hailing in India, as Ola aims to address market pressures while trying to regain the loyalty of its drivers, ToI's report (by Supriya Roy) said. Strategic shift amid market pressures The recent changes at Ola come amid increasing competition in the ride-hailing sector. Senior executives within the company have acknowledged that the decision to implement this flat fee system is partly a reaction to the dwindling market share Ola has experienced, ToI's report said. The balance of supply and demand has shifted unfavourably, prompting the company to reconsider its operational strategy. As one executive told ToI, the situation is dire: "It's a race to the bottom, a desperate hail mary." To support this flat fee model, Ola has enacted significant cost reductions, including downsizing its acquisition team and reducing driver incentives. By cutting costs associated with the prior commission structure, the company hopes to increase efficiency and improve driver earnings. Live Events Driver earnings and other impacts Data from industry experts reveal that Ola's new model could positively influence driver earnings, particularly for those in urban areas. In major cities, where drivers complete around eight trips daily, the potential gross earnings can reach approximately Rs 2,400 per day. Under the former commission structure, drivers would net around Rs 1,800 daily. With the flat fee model, net earnings could increase to about Rs 2,333 per day, translating to roughly Rs 58,325 monthly. While this change may lead to enhanced earnings for experienced drivers, it also transfers more financial risk to them. As Pratik Shah from EY Parthenon points out, while the flat fee model offers more control over earnings, it can be challenging for new drivers or those operating in less busy areas. As the ride-hailing landscape continues to evolve with varied pricing structures globally, the success of Ola's flat fee model remains to be seen, the reports noted. The company is betting on this approach to stabilise its business and attract drivers back into its fold, but the long-term implications for all parties involved will need careful monitoring, it noted.
Forbes
17-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Trump's Tariffs Go To Supreme Court For The First Time
Small businesses asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to take up the issue of whether President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs are lawful, their attorney confirmed to Forbes, marking the first time the president's sweeping tariffs have made it to the high court, and teeing up a potential final ruling on whether the tariffs are lawful by the end of the year. Businesses Learning Resources Inc. and hand2mind Inc. filed a petition with the Supreme Court on Tuesday, attorney Pratik Shah confirmed to Forbes, which asks the high court to consider whether Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs are lawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the law the president used to impose them. A federal district judge previously ruled in the businesses' favor and found Trump's tariffs violate IEEPA, but his ruling is now on hold as an appeals court considers the case. The plaintiffs want the Supreme Court to weigh in on the issue before the appeals court does, arguing the case 'presents a question of paramount importance and urgency' and should skip the traditional appeals process in order to be argued 'as soon as possible.' Justices need to weigh in on the tariffs in order to relieve the 'crippling uncertainty' they've caused nationwide, the plaintiffs argued to the Supreme Court, asking justices to schedule the case for oral arguments as soon as its next term begins in October, or even sooner. The case is one of two lawsuits on tariffs that have so far resulted in court rulings against Trump's 'Liberation Day' orders: The second, which blocked Trump's tariffs nationwide, is also now on pause while an appeals court considers the case. The case has been filed with the court but has not yet been formally docketed and made public on the court's website, and the Supreme Court has not yet given any indication about whether it will take up the case or when a decision on taking up the case could come. Learning Resource's case has been filed with the court but has not yet been formally docketed and made public on the court's website, and the Supreme Court has not yet given any indication about whether it will take up the case or when a decision on taking up the case could come. In their petition to the court, the businesses asked justices to consider whether they'll take up the case before their current term ends at the end of June, with both sides then submitting briefs in the case over the summer before the case is argued in early fall. The Supreme Court could reject that timeline and take longer to deliberate on taking up the case, however, or take it up but wait until winter or spring 2026 to hear oral arguments. If the court were to hear oral arguments on the case in the fall, as the businesses want, a final ruling would likely come out a few months later, though justices could issue a decision any time before their next term ends in June 2026. This story is breaking and will be updated.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Was DOP Pratik Shah kicked out of Sourav Ganguly biopic amid sexual misconduct allegations? Here's what we know
Cinematographer Pratik Shah faces allegations of inappropriate behaviour, leading to his removal from the Sourav Ganguly biopic. He was involved in the film's recce before the accusations surfaced on social media. Dharma Productions clarified that no formal complaints were made against Shah during the production of 'Homebound', which premiered at Cannes. Cinematographer Pratik Shah has found himself at the center of controversy following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women. Amid the growing backlash, reports now claim he has been removed from the much-anticipated Sourav Ganguly biopic. Here's what we know about the situation and its impact on the project. According to a report in Hollywood Reporter, Pratik was actively involved in the film's recce and had recently returned from London when the allegations against him surfaced. Following this, the makers decided to drop him from the project and are now in search of a new cinematographer before production begins. The Sourav Ganguly biopic will reportedly be directed by Vikramaditya Motwane , who had earlier collaborated with Pratik Shah on CTRL and the web series Jubilee. The film will feature Rajkummar Rao in the lead role, portraying the former Indian cricket captain. The allegations against Pratik Shah first surfaced on social media after filmmaker Abhinav Singh, known for his work in short films, accused him of being 'highly manipulative' and 'emotionally abusive' in an Instagram post. While Singh initially refrained from naming Shah, he warned his female followers to be cautious around a certain cinematographer, which later led to Shah being identified. In a follow-up post, Abhinav Singh revealed that he had received numerous messages from women sharing their own troubling experiences. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Вот что поза во сне говорит о вашем характере! Удивительные Новости Undo It was after reading these accounts that he decided to publicly name Pratik Shah. Pratik Shah also served as the cinematographer for Dharma Productions' upcoming film Homebound. Following the emergence of allegations against him, Dharma issued an official statement clarifying that no formal complaints were made against Shah during the film's production. Homebound, which made history as the only Indian film featured in this year's Cannes Film Festival under the prestigious Un Certain Regard section, has garnered widespread international acclaim. Produced by Karan Johar , Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, the film received a standing ovation at its Cannes premiere. The ensemble cast includes Ishaan Khatter , Janhvi Kapoor , and Vishal Jethwa. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
NDTV
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Homebound Cinematographer Pratik Shah's Ex Accuses Him of Abuse: "That Would Have Been Rape If He Wasn't My Boyfriend"
Fresh allegations against Homebound cinematographer Pratik Shah have surfaced. His former partner has accused him of sexual and physical abuse. In a recent blog post, she shared disturbing details of the abuse. This isn't the first time she has spoken up against Shah. She previously levelled allegations of sexual and physical abuse against Shah in a Facebook update from 2015. While she doesn't name Shah directly in the blog, she said she is choosing to speak up again because "people need to know the truth". The former girlfriend's detailed blog paints a harrowing picture of emotional manipulation, physical violence, and sexual abuse during their relationship. The blog recounts a pattern of possessive and controlling behaviour, culminating in sexual assault. "That summer, he asked me for my Gmail and Facebook passwords, and in return gave me his. I remember the rage that flew through him when he saw that I had flirted with a guy over Facebook... He screamed in my face that he would kill himself," she writes. She also details a chilling escalation of violence. "The day that I found out that he had been cheating on me was the day he pushed me into a shelf. I should've reported it then, when the neighbours called the police. I didn't." The most serious charge is related to an incident on her birthday weekend, according to the blog post. "I won't get into the details of this situation that consumes me every day, but you get the point. 'No' wasn't an option," she writes, later adding, "That would have been considered rape if he wasn't my boyfriend." "Never, in a million years, would I have thought I would be a 'survivor of abuse'," she writes. Shah had most recently worked as director of photography on Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound, which premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim. Several allegations about Shah's inappropriate behaviour surfaced online last week, following Dharma Productions -- the banner behind Homebound -- distanced itself from Shah. As these allegations resurfaced, sources confirmed that Shah has been dropped from the high-profile Sourav Ganguly biopic. Dharma Productions, reportedly associated with the film, issued a brief statement: "We stand firmly against any form of abuse or misconduct. The concerned individual is no longer associated with any of our upcoming projects." Ghaywan is yet to issue a statement on allegations against Shah, who has deactivated his Instagram account since the controversy broke. The filmmaker on Monday shared an Instagram appreciation post for his Homebound team but skipped thanking the cinematographer. This is not the first time Bollywood has had to reckon with allegations of abuse from within its ranks. The resurgence of this 2015 post echoes the wave of #MeToo accounts that flooded the industry in 2018, prompting renewed conversations about accountability and silence. Pratik Shah is yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
