Food delivery apps like Swiggy have complained to the Delhi government against challans being issued to their two- wheeler riders in the name of a ban on bike hack services in the public capital. The food delivery platforms have also sought explanation from the government on the directive while claiming that there has been misapprehension of the notice as the ban is applicable on bike hack service providers. Swiggy in a letter to the government has said that food delivery riders are being fined up to Rs,000 in the garb of the ban on bike hack services. “The recent changes in regulations on bike hack services in Delhi have caused confusion and dislocation to food/ quick commerce delivery aggregators.
Our delivery directors are being incorrectly issued challans despite the announcement being applicable only to bike hack service providers,” a Swiggy prophet told PTI. Dinker Vashisht, Group Vice President – Public Policy, Regulatory and Sustainability of the online food delivery platform, said, “The said directions have been misinterpreted by Regional Transport Office (RTO) officers, who have started issuing challans to delivery mates who have been operating for last-afar delivery aggregators similar as food delivery aggregators and e-commerce drivers”. “This has led to a dislocation of services, and confusion among the delivery mates, who are now alive of furnishing their service with a fear of being penalised and wearied while on duty, ” he added, seeking critical intervention in the matter. When communicated , a Zomato prophet said, “While the notice is only for passenger vehicles, there’s some misapprehension on the ground”.
The use of two-wheelers for marketable purposes is in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the first offence can result in a forfeiture of Rs 5,000. An alternate offence could lead to a forfeiture of Rs 10,000 and imprisonment for over to a time, as well as a three-month suspension of the motorist’s licence. The department’s public notice advised that some app- grounded companies are portraying themselves as aggregators in violation of the 1988 act, and this will be punishable with a forfeiture of Rs 1 lakh.