Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Mar 24: The ban on Ola organization, whose permit to run the taxis was suspended by the transport department of the state for starting Bike Taxi service in the capital in violation of the rules is lifted and the taxis are running as usual from Sunday, March 24.

The government pressurised the transport department to take back its order of suspension of services. The drivers and the public also voiced their protest against the suspension of cab services of Ola.

The public and cab drivers have expressed outrage at the sudden suspension of aggregator licence of Ola by the transport department. Thousands of drivers and their families are earning their livelihood through Ola. In addition, lacs of people depend on this service for commuting.

The public had expressed its discontent on social media by posting, “Under the prevailing situation it is not right on the part of the transport department to cancel the permit suddenly. If the organization has violated the rules, it can be warned and a fine may be slapped. But it is not right to suspend the permit all of a sudden. The public will be greatly inconvenienced due to the suspension of the cab service. The government has to resolve the issue immediately.”

Minister for social welfare Priyank Kharge has also objected the sudden suspension of the aggregator licence of Ola. He said, “It is not right on the part of the transport department to suspend the licence of Ola suddenly. If the organization has erred, there is an opportunity to warn them and slap a fine. The well being of thousands of drivers and lacs of passengers should have been considered before suspending the license. Suspending the license is not the solution for the error that is committed.”

“There will be negative impact on the investment, startups and tourism due to the suspension of the permit. The officers of the transport department should have sought the suggestion from the government and the chief secretary before sending out the suspension order. However, they have not approached anyone. I have discussed this issue with the chief minister and deputy chief minister and they have responded positively. The order of suspension is taken back by the government with immediate effect.”

Minister Priyank Kharge also tweeted from his Twitter account on the lifting of the ban on Ola cabs.