PANAJI
The Goa government has proposed stringent penalties as well as incentives, as it has drafted guidelines to regulate aggregator operations in the State.
The Transport Department, in a draft guidelines issued on Wednesday, has proposed a penalty of Rs 50 lakh for unlicensed aggregator operations or for violating licence conditions, along with blacklisting of the violating aggregator.
The guidelines, drafted for streamlining aggregator operations in Goa, also proposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh for each instance of fare regulation violation. The department will oversee implementation through regular audits and inspections. The draft notification has invited feedback from stakeholders within 30 days.
As per the proposed fee structure, the grant and renewal of aggregator licences will cost Rs 5 lakh each, while issuing a duplicate licence or noting a change of address will attract a fee of Rs 50,000. A refundable and non-interest-bearing security deposit of Rs 10 lakh will be applicable at the time of the licence grant.
The draft also mentions incentives for vehicle owners and drivers associated with aggregator platforms, stating that owners who complete at least 500 trips on aggregator apps in a year are eligible for reimbursement of 50 per cent of their annual insurance premium or up to Rs 20,000, whichever is lower. If the vehicle is driven by a female driver, the reimbursement will be 100 per cent of the insurance premium or up to Rs 30,000, whichever is lower.
In a move to promote electric vehicles and female entrepreneurship, the government has proposed a vehicle purchase subsidy for female owner-cum-drivers holding a PSV badge.
A subsidy of Rs 1 lakh has been proposed for the purchase of new electric motor cabs, and Rs 20,000 for new electric motorbikes or autorickshaws. The subsidy will be disbursed in two equal parts – half at the time of purchase and the remaining half upon completion of 500 trips on an aggregator app within a year.
To encourage greater participation of women in the sector, a complete waiver of the renewal fee for aggregator licences will be granted if 20 percent of the aggregator’s fleet is driven by female drivers at the time of renewal.
The draft has also imposed conditions for licence wherein the aggregator has been asked to compulsorily have a registered office in Goa (or) in India, and a branch office in the State of Goa; comply with all applicable laws including the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Information Technology Act, 2000; and to commence their business operations within six months from the grant of the licence, in absence of which the licence may be liable to be cancelled by the Government etc.
The aggregator is also to ensure that the identity of the driver undertaking a trip is the same as the one provided to the passenger on the app at the time of booking.
