1 week ago
Maharashtra Minister Challenges Raut Over Rapido Funding Allegations
Sanjay Raut says Rapido may have given money to some ministers and received permission to run bike taxis in return.
He says bike taxis could make it harder for autorickshaw drivers to earn a living.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik asked Raut to show documents proving these claims.
Sarnaik said bike taxis could create jobs for young people.
He also said the government must protect traditional autorickshaw drivers.
Sarnaik promised that Rapido would not be allowed to operate outside government rules.
Both sides discussed meeting with representatives of autorickshaw drivers.
The disagreement is about money allegations, jobs and how transportation should be regulated.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik challenged Sanjay Raut to provide evidence for alleged ministerial financial ties with Rapido.
Raut alleged Rapido funded festivals and cultural events linked to ministers and provided election funds.
Raut said allowing bike taxis could threaten the livelihoods of thousands of autorickshaw drivers.
Sarnaik defended bike taxis as a source of employment while acknowledging the need to protect autorickshaw drivers.
Sarnaik said Rapido and other companies must follow government rules and offered to discuss drivers’ concerns.
- Who
- Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut.
- What
- Sarnaik challenged Raut to substantiate allegations that ministers had financial ties with Rapido and defended regulated bike-taxi operations.
- Where
- Maharashtra, with the statement reported from Mumbai.
- When
- Sarnaik responded on Wednesday; Raut’s referenced letter was dated August 25.
- Why
- Raut opposed bike taxis over alleged political funding and their potential effect on autorickshaw drivers’ livelihoods, while Sarnaik supported employment opportunities alongside driver protections.
Sanjay Raut’s Position
Pratap Sarnaik’s Position
Alleged political funding
Sanjay Raut’s Position
Raut alleged that Rapido sponsored Dahi Handi, Ganesh festival and cultural events organised by some ministers, and provided election funds in exchange for permission to operate.
Pratap Sarnaik’s Position
Sarnaik called the allegations serious but challenged Raut to provide concrete documents, evidence and facts.
Impact of bike taxis
Sanjay Raut’s Position
Raut opposed bike taxis and warned that their operation could damage the livelihoods of thousands of traditional autorickshaw drivers.
Pratap Sarnaik’s Position
Sarnaik said bike taxis could create employment for young people, while insisting that the government must also protect autorickshaw drivers and provide social security.
Government oversight
Sanjay Raut’s Position
Raut’s allegations implied that Rapido was receiving preferential treatment from the government.
Pratap Sarnaik’s Position
Sarnaik said no company was above government rules and that the same rules would apply to Rapido and other companies.
Key facts
- Minister
- Pratap Sarnaik, Maharashtra Transport Minister
- Allegation
- Sanjay Raut alleged that Rapido sponsored festivals and cultural events linked to some ministers and provided election funds.
- Company
- Rapido, a bike-taxi aggregator
- Livelihood concern
- Raut warned that bike-taxi operations could threaten the livelihoods of thousands of autorickshaw drivers.
- Government position
- Sarnaik said bike taxis could create employment for thousands of young people.
- Regulation
- Sarnaik said Rapido and any other company must operate under government rules.
- Proposed discussion
- Sarnaik said he was willing to meet representatives of the Autorickshaw Chalak Sangharsh Samiti.
Quotes
Pratap Sarnaik
Maharashtra Transport Minister
“Today, a passenger books a taxi through a mobile phone; tomorrow, the passenger may book a bike taxi. However, protecting the livelihood of traditional autorickshaw drivers, providing them social security and strengthening their business is also the government’s responsibility. Both these wheels will have to move together.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Your allegations are serious. Instead of giving them a political colour, you should present concrete documents, evidence and facts in support of them.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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