Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today launched Bharat Taxi for Gujarat from Gandhinagar; services begin in all major cities of Gujarat including Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot across two-wheeler, auto and four-wheeler categories

Why in news

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah launched 'Bharat Taxi' for Gujarat from Gandhinagar, with services commencing in major cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot across various vehicle categories.

Exam relevance

GS2, GS3 · Governance, Economy, Society · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. Bharat Taxi was launched by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah.
2. It was launched for Gujarat from Gandhinagar, with services starting in major cities including Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot.
3. The service covers two-wheeler, auto, and four-wheeler categories.
4. It aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s mantra of ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi’ in the mobility sector.
5. More than 7 lakh ‘Sarathis’ are associated with Bharat Taxi, and the drivers themselves are its owners/shareholders.
6. Bharat Taxi aims to reach more than 500 cities and towns in the next 2 years, with services available in 7 major cities of the country before July 31.
7. It is described as the Sarathis’ own cooperative, providing support in loans, insurance protection, and nurturing business expansion.
8. Bharat Taxi signed MoUs with Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation.

Prelims pointers

• Bharat Taxi was launched by the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation.
• It was first launched for the state of Gujarat.
• The core principle of Bharat Taxi is that drivers ('Sarathis') are owners/shareholders.
• It operates under the mantra of ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi’.
• Bharat Taxi is a cooperative model in the mobility sector.

Mains practice question

Discuss how the cooperative model, as exemplified by 'Bharat Taxi', can address the challenges faced by workers in the gig economy and contribute to the vision of 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi'.

Static linkage

The launch of Bharat Taxi is linked to the broader cooperative movement in India and the government's vision of 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' (Prosperity through Cooperation). It represents an alternative model in the gig economy and mobility sector, aiming to empower drivers through cooperative ownership.

Significance

Bharat Taxi signifies a transformative approach in the mobility sector by empowering drivers, referred to as 'Sarathis', through a cooperative ownership model. This model aims to provide drivers with respect, security, and prosperity by making them shareholders and owners, rather than mere employees dependent on app companies. It seeks to counter arbitrary practices by competing companies and ensure fair practices in the sector. By offering support in loans, insurance, and business expansion, it promotes economic empowerment and self-reliance among a large segment of the workforce.