LI Network
Published on: 15 August 2023 at 11:30 IST
The Supreme Court has recently extended the deadline for the Delhi Government to finalize the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme, 2023, which regulates two-wheeler aggregators, until September 30th.
The extension was granted in response to an application filed by the Delhi Government, and it was approved by a division bench comprising Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Bela M. Trivedi.
Justice Bose referred to the Delhi Government’s previous assurance that the policy would be notified by July 31, saying, “There was an emphatic stand by the Delhi Government last time.”
During the hearing, Justice Bose discussed the operational status of the prohibition notification with the Counsel for the Delhi Government, raising questions about its implementation.
The Court was informed that the Delhi Government had drafted the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme, 2023, and had issued public notices for objections to the policy.
The deadline for receiving objections was June 24, with the aim of notifying the policy by July 31, 2023.
The Court noted that only Uber was present among the respondents, and no objections were raised against the extension of time.
Rapido (Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited) did not appear in court despite being served.
The Apex Court stated, “We do not think it is necessary to wait for Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited as they have chosen not to appear inspite of service. The present application is allowed and extension of time for issuing notification on Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme, 2023 is extended till 30th September 2023.”
Justice Bose inquired about the delay in implementing the policy, to which the Counsel for the Delhi Government responded, “A robust policy is underway, it is taking some time.” In response, Justice Bose questioned, “What policy? They are running anyway.”
On June 12th, the Supreme Court had stayed a Delhi High Court order that allowed bike-taxi aggregators like Rapido and Uber to operate without aggregator licenses until the Delhi Government notified its policy on the matter.
The Apex Court’s extension of time gives the Delhi Government an opportunity to finalize the necessary regulations for the operation of bike-taxis and delivery services using two-wheelers.