Bengaluru: After the Transport Department asked Namma TYGR, promoted by JD(S) state president H.D. Kumaraswamy, to stop plying cabs for not getting a licence, President of Karnataka Taxi Owners’ Federation and core committee member of Namma TYGR, Tanveer Pasha, on Sunday alleged that it was because of revenge politics pursued by the Congress government in the state and pressure from Ola and Uber on the Transport Department.
“We have applied for a licence. The department wanted more additions as per the Cab Aggregator Policy 2016. For example, they wanted installation of a panic button which we are working on. Instead of giving us time to set up the company, they are sinking us," Pasha complained.
He contended that the Transport Department does not take action against Ola and Uber though they operate without panic buttons and don’t follow other rules under the Cab Aggregator policy 2016, ever since Uber challenged the policy in the high court and brought in a stay.
What has angered the Namma TYGR promoters is a supposed letter the owner of a seized cab was asked to give to the Jayanagar RTO. Pasha claimed that the woman who owns the cab was called by the RTO officials and asked to write, “Namma TYGR app will not be used in the future and the driver will use either Uber or Ola, failing which the vehicle registration will be suspended.”
He shared the written statement with Deccan Chronicle along with another printed notice by the Deputy Transport Commissioner and Senior Regional officer of Jayanagar RTO.
The notice reads, “The said cab owner using Namma TYGR has violated the Motor Vehicle Act. The cab owner has 7 days time to give an explanation as to why they should not be suspended."
When Deccan Chronicle asked Transport Commissioner Dayanand about Namma TYGR cab services, he said, “They are not allowed to ply as they do not have a licence. Though there is a stay order on Cab Aggregator Policy 2016, Ola and Uber are plying with a licence currently.”
