Shillong, Oct 13: Suspended VPP legislator Adelbert Nongrum has demanded for action against “illegal” operation of unlicensed aggregators and approval to operation of bike-taxi service startup, Jets 24×7.
The legislator from North Shillong has sought the intervention of deputy chief minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar in this regard.
Despite complying with all required formalities, Jets 24×7 has been facing an inordinate delay in the issuance of its allotment order to operate two-wheeler services in Meghalaya, Nongrum said on Monday.
The startup has been waiting for over 11 months, with no clear communication or updates from Transport department, according to Nongrum.
On the other hand, he said, unlicensed aggregators have been operating services in violation of Meghalaya Taxi Aggregator Operational Rules, 2020, he alleged.
“…I am deeply concerned not only about the inaction against illegal operators, but also about the unsystematic and inconsistent manner in which the allotment process is being handled by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA),” he said.
He also slammed the department for sitting over the unlicensed aggregators’ issue for past 33 months and allow “violation” of the Meghalaya Taxi Aggregator Operational Rules, 2020 to continue.
“Why is the department allowing such blatant violations while delaying approval for a compliant, homegrown platform?” he wondered.
“This will only serve to encourage illegal businesses and poses real safety risks to the commuters,” he said.
“This kind of delay not only discourages honest entrepreneurship but also puts at risk the livelihoods of many unemployed youth who have committed to this platform in good faith,” he added.
