Swiggy, Zomato Seek Clarification on Bike-Taxi Ban Order From Delhi Government

Food supply apps Swiggy and Zomato have complained to the Delhi authorities towards challans being issued to their two-wheeler riders within the title of a ban on bike taxi providers within the nationwide capital.

The meals supply platforms have additionally sought clarification from the federal government on the directive whereas claiming that there was misinterpretation of the discover because the ban is relevant on bike taxi service suppliers.

Swiggy in a letter to the federal government has stated that meals supply riders are being fined as much as Rs. 15,000 within the garb of the ban on bike taxi providers.

“The recent changes in regulations on bike taxi services in Delhi have caused confusion and disruption to food/quick commerce delivery aggregators. Our delivery executives are being wrongly issued challans despite the notification being applicable only to bike taxi service providers,” a Swiggy spokesperson informed PTI.

He stated some of the challans issued to supply executives are in extra of Rs. 15,000.

“This has understandably created fear and apprehension among our delivery executives, who are crucial in ensuring that our customers receive their orders on time.

“We proceed to work intently with the authorities to hunt readability on the federal government’s directive. Ensuring that our supply executives can function easily and serve our prospects with none interruptions is our prime precedence,” the spokesperson said.

While seeking a clarification on the matter, Zomato in a letter to the Delhi government’s transport department has said that the notification has been misinterpreted by RTO officials.

Dinker Vashisht, Group Vice President — Public Policy, Regulatory and Sustainability of the online food delivery platform, said, “The stated instructions have been misinterpreted by Regional Transport Office (RTO) officers, who’ve began issuing challans to supply companions who’ve been working for last-mile supply aggregators similar to meals supply aggregators and e-commerce operators.” “This has led to a disruption of providers, and confusion among the many supply companions, who at the moment are apprehensive ofproviding their service with a worry of being penalised and harassed whereas on obligation,” he added, seeking urgent intervention in the matter.

When contacted, a Zomato spokesperson said, “While the discover is just for passenger automobiles, there may be some misinterpretation on the bottom”.

The Delhi transport department last month cautioned bike taxis against plying on the roads of Delhi, warning that it was a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, that would make aggregators liable for a fine of Rs. 1 lakh.

The use of two-wheelers for commercial purposes is in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The first offence could lead to a fine of Rs 5,000 while a second offence could incur a Rs. 10,000 fine and imprisonment of up to a year, the department said in a public notice.

The driver will also lose their licence for three months under the circumstances.

The notice said some app-based companies are portraying themselves as aggregators in violation of the 1988 act. This will be punishable with a fine of Rs. 1 lakh.