Maharashtra government extends taxi fare review panel’s deadline to August 30

The extension means commuters will have to wait longer for respite from surge pricing

The state government has given an extension till August 31 to the four-member Khatua panel, which was appointed to regulate fare of black-and-yellow taxis, autorickshaws, app-based cabs and electric taxis.

This means commuters will have to wait longer for fare revision. According to the state policy, the authorities will set minimum and maximum fares for the app-based cabs.

The government appointed the panel chaired by BC Khatua in 2016, asking it to set maximum and minimum fares of app taxis and autos, besides revising fare formula of conventional taxis and autos. Later, the government extended its scope and asked it to decide fare of app-based and electric taxis, which were introduced in Nagpur.

The state had asked the panel to submit its recommendations by the end of June. On the other hand, the Bombay high court directed it to submit the report before July end. Failed to submit report within the deadline as the chairman was ill, the panel had requested the state to give it more time.

The panel has already conducted meetings with various stakeholders, including passengers and drivers in different cities.

The state government approved the Maharashtra City Taxi Rules 2017 to regulate app-based cabs, which included controlling surge pricing. The effective implementation of the new rules would not be possible until the government capped the fare.

READ

Safety first: Maharashtra taxis and autos will soon have to install GPS

Mumbai taxi, auto fares: Go online, tell Maha govt how much you should be charged till May 15