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Union Home Minister interacts with the ‘Sarathis’ of Bharat Taxi
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah interacted with the ‘Sarathis’ of Bharat Taxi in New Delhi on 23 February. During the interaction, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that those who labour should be the ones who receive the profits. He stated that the objective is to make the taxi owner prosperous, and the ‘Sarathi’ is the real owner. Shri Shah said that the ‘Sarathis’ are the owners of Bharat Taxi and also have a share in its profits.
Bharat Taxi has been established
Shri Amit Shah said that Bharat Taxi has been established by bringing together five major cooperatives of the country. He stated that as the number of ‘Sarathis’ increases, any ‘Saarthi’ who wishes to become a partner will gain ownership rights by purchasing shares worth Rs. 500. Shri Shah added that when elections for the Board of Directors of Bharat Taxi are held, certain seats will be reserved for Sarathis. Once Sarathis become part of the Board of Directors, they themselves will safeguard and represent the interests and concerns of other drivers.
Union Minister of Cooperation said that the objective of Bharat Taxi is not to earn large profits like a private company. He stated that the aim of Bharat Taxi is to strengthen our driver brothers. He said that the shares of Bharat Taxi are held by the Sarathis, and they themselves are the owners; therefore, the policies of Bharat Taxi will also be decided by the Sarathis. He added that Bharat Taxi is the drivers’ own company, and cooperation should be its guiding principle. Bharat Taxi will harness the potential of Sarathis, not exploit them.
Sarathis’ capital
Shri Shah said that 20 percent of Bharat Taxi’s total earnings will be deposited into Bharat Taxi’s account as the Sarathis’ capital, and 80 percent of the money will be returned to the Sarathis’ accounts based on how many kilometres the taxi has travelled. Shri Shah said that the initial 3 years will go towards the expansion of Bharat Taxi, and after that, whatever profit is generated, 20 percent of it will remain with Bharat Taxi, and 80 percent will be returned to the Sarathi brothers.
Bharat Taxi is a major cooperative movement
Shri Amit Shah said that the launch of Bharat Taxi is a major cooperative movement. He said that under this, Bharat Taxi will mortgage the Sarathis’ taxis and will provide them loans through cooperative banks. He said that there will be nothing hidden in Bharat Taxi. He said that by providing every piece of information to the Sarathis through notifications, ‘Bharat Taxi’ will become the world’s most transparent cab service. He mentioned that Bharat Taxi will operate by establishing a baseline kilometre rate based on the Sarathis’ minimum viability. Shri Shah explained that in Bharat Taxi, a base rate will be created by combining the cost of the auto, petrol consumption, and minimum profit, and the service will not operate below this rate. He said the objective of Bharat Taxi is not to earn profit because the Sarathis themselves are the owners of this cooperative.
‘Sarathi Didi’
He said that the concept of ‘Sarathi Didi’ (lady driver) has been envisioned in Bharat Taxi. The ‘Sarathi Didi’ facility of Bharat Taxi will make women Sarathis self-reliant and will ensure the safety of women passengers and Sarathis. He said that in the coming days, a provision will be made in the Bharat Taxi app under the name ‘ Sarathi Didi’ so that whenever there is a solo female passenger, she will naturally be given priority to a ‘Sarathi Didi’.