Telangana High Court orders state government to respond to taxi fare ‘fleecing’

It was claimed that the state authorities are legally required to set and announce uniform taxi fares, and they are also obligated to ensure that proper meters are installed in private taxis. However, the authorities have not fulfilled these duties in a timely and effective way, the petition added.

According to Senior Counsel L Ravi Chander, the petition was filed as a regular writ petition rather than a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), even though it addresses a public issue. He clarified that because TGPWU has a direct stake in the case, a PIL would likely not be maintainable.

Mohammed Absar Ahmed, the counsel on record, argued that the authorities’ ‘failure’ to act has allowed taxi aggregators to exploit the public with excessive fares. He claimed that companies are “fleecing” consumers with charges like surge fees, peak hour charges, and congestion charges. He further said that because there’s no regulatory oversight or a way for the public to file a grievance, people are left to suffer from these ‘illegal’ demands. Ahmed also pointed out that taxis are operating in the state without the mandatory verified and sealed meters in violation of legal provisions.

The counsel argued that taxi operators are violating the law by using a GPS mechanism that is not legally mandated. He also pointed out that meters are not placed where passengers can easily see them, as the law requires. He concluded that the entire system is contrary to the prescribed rules.

The senior counsel then advised the court that an interim order could only be issued after hearing from the government, and, therefore, the government should be directed to file its response without any delay.

Justice K Sarath, thereafter, directed the state to file its response within four weeks and posted the matter to October 16.