SHILLONG, June 20: Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Transport, Sniawbhalang Dhar, on Friday assured members of Ride to Serve Shillong bike-taxi riders that the long-pending issue concerning the grant of individual permits would be resolved, with approval expected within a week.
A delegation of the organisation met Dhar in his chamber here and discussed their demand for the issuance of individual permits for bike taxi operators without the mandatory requirement of joining aggregators or ride-hailing platforms.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the convener of the organisation, K Nongkynrih, expressed gratitude to the Transport department, the deputy chief minister and department officials for taking up the matter.
According to Nongkynrih, the deputy chief minister informed the delegation that there was no policy restriction on issuing individual permits and that the government had already made provisions for such permits.
However, he alleged that officials at the District Transport Office (DTO) had been continuously pressuring riders to join aggregators instead.
He said that a meeting between the Commissioner and the Assistant Commissioner is expected to be held shortly, following which formal approval for individual permits is likely to be issued.
“Within a week, we expect to receive the permit approval. After the meeting between the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner, we should receive the official communication approving the individual permits,” Nongkynrih said.
He further stated that discussions would subsequently be held with the state government to determine fare structures and operational guidelines for bike-taxi services.
Meanwhile, the organisation submitted a detailed representation to Dhar, seeking the government’s intervention in resolving the issue. In the memorandum, the riders stated that they have been pursuing the matter since June 24, 2023, repeatedly appealing for the issuance of permits in their individual capacity without being compelled to operate under aggregators, companies, platforms or intermediaries.
The organisation argued that a framework allowing eligible individuals to obtain permits directly from the competent authority would provide a lawful and regulated system while creating livelihood opportunities for unemployed youth.
The riders also expressed disappointment over the lack of response to several representations submitted to the government and relevant authorities over the past three years.
Besides seeking a mechanism for the issuance of individual permits, the organisation urged the government to direct the Transport department and the DTO to refrain from conducting enforcement drives, imposing penalties or harassing bike-taxi riders while the matter remains under consideration.
The memorandum further requested the release of scooters and motorcycles that have been seized or detained for alleged bike-taxi operations and sought a sympathetic review of fines and penalties imposed on riders, considering that their demand for individual permits has been pending before the government for a considerable period.
The organisation said it hoped that the intervention of the deputy chief minister would pave the way for a fair and practical resolution to the long-standing issue and provide legal recognition to bike-taxi riders operating in the state.
