A New Era in Ride-Hailing Begins
Centre to Roll Out ‘Sahkar’ Taxi Scheme Based on Cooperative Ownership Model: India is set to reimagine the ride-hailing industry with the launch of the ‘Sahkar’ taxi service, a government-backed app that mirrors Ola and Uber, but with a cooperative twist. Announced by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, this initiative focuses on empowering drivers by making them stakeholders rather than employees. It’s a part of the broader ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ mission, aiming to strengthen grassroots economic models.
Driver-Owned Model With Transparent Pricing
Unlike corporate models where profits flow to investors, ‘Sahkar’ will follow a driver-owned framework. This means the earnings and profits will be shared among the cooperative members—the drivers themselves. Transparent pricing is another highlight, especially after recent controversies around discriminatory pricing by private players. The government promises fair fare systems, giving both drivers and passengers a trustworthy alternative.
Pilot Launch and Growing Consumer Concerns
The pilot version of Sahkar is likely to debut in selected metropolitan cities. The decision comes after the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) flagged Ola and Uber for allegedly charging different fares based on mobile devices—iPhone vs Android. Such pricing algorithms sparked a demand for fairer, people-driven alternatives, prompting the cooperative taxi model’s announcement in Parliament.
National Cooperative University: Education for Empowerment
The same parliamentary session also witnessed the proposal of a National Cooperative University under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The university will offer diplomas and training programs in cooperative management. The goal is to prepare future cooperative leaders—be it in transport, dairy, farming, or finance. This step reflects the government’s intent to institutionalize cooperative knowledge for long-term reform.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Centre to Roll Out ‘Sahkar’ Taxi Scheme Based on Cooperative Ownership Model:
| Feature | Details |
| Initiative Name | Sahkar Taxi Service |
| Announced By | Amit Shah, Union Home and Cooperation Minister |
| Operational Model | Driver-Owned Cooperative Model |
| Pricing Model | Transparent and Government-Backed |
| Reason for Launch | Response to complaints against Ola/Uber pricing practices |
| Related Scheme | Sahkar se Samriddhi |
| Pilot Rollout | Likely in key metro cities |
| Related Legislation | Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023 |
| University Proposal | National Cooperative University |
| Purpose of University | Diplomas and training in cooperative governance and finance |
| Broader Goal | Empower drivers, promote fair wages, build trust in ride services |
