Five-Member Committee To Decide License Authorization for Maxi Cabs

Mumbai, 20th January 2023: The Maharashtra government has reconstituted a five-member committee to decide whether or not to license unauthorized passenger transporters like maxi-cab in the state. A government decision has been issued in this regard. The committee is going to submit a report after studying the planning of maxi cab licensing, the policy regarding it, the impact on the ST Corporation’s income, and other factors.

Retired administrative officer Ramnath Jha has been appointed as the chairman of the reconstituted five-member committee, which includes the Transport Commissioner, ST Corporation Vice-Chairman, Additional Transport Commissioner and Transport Deputy Commissioner Abhay. A five-member committee was constituted in May 2022 to review the policy regarding the licensing scheme for maxi-cab vehicles. The Transport Commissioner, who was a member of this committee was transferred. Since other officers are being transferred, the committee has been reconstituted by including the designation instead of the name of the members of the committee.

While preparing the plan for giving licenses to Maxicab, the committee will study the convenience of passengers, safety, vehicle tax rate, the possible effects of this plan on the revenue of ST Corporation, the revenue received by the government from Maxi Cab vehicles, as well as the area, route, license number and other matters to be given to those vehicles. After that, a report with recommendations will be submitted to the government. A committee was constituted in February 2021 under the chairmanship of the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic). The committee was to study the Maxicab policies and submit a report within two months. However, this committee was dissolved and a new committee was once again formed in 2022. After that, the committee was reconstituted again.

Seven to 12-seater passenger vehicles (Maxi Cabs) are being operated illegally in the state. These vehicles are driven in large numbers in talukas and rural areas. These vehicles are parked outside ST station and Agar. Passengers are transported by these vehicles charging less fare as compared to ST. Therefore, the income of ST is also greatly affected. Penal action is also taken against Maxicab. Attempts have been made to make this unofficial service official over the years. However, the decision had to be withdrawn after the ST organizations took up the posture of agitation. ST Corporation has been given a monopoly by the government for the convenience of passengers in the state. It was amended in 1998 to include motor cab policy vehicles. This scheme has been suspended and licenses cannot be given to MaxiCab category vehicles. But now the movement to give licenses has started.

In many parts of the state, seven to eight or more passengers are being transported without permission. Accidents are also caused due to illegal passenger traffic carried out by vehicles like Vadap which do not follow the rules. It raises many questions including who is responsible, as well as the safety of the passengers. That is why the government has reconstituted a five-member committee to determine whether the Maxicab policy is appropriate or not.