AAP demands Job Reinstatement: Sanjay Singh alleged that BJP government has terminated 112 employees of the prepaid taxi scheme who had worked tirelessly for nearly 40 years to make it profitable, and warned that the remaining 38 employees may also be dismissed soon. Questioning the fate of these workers at their current age, he urged the central government to reinstate all 150 employees and adjust them in the proposed new scheme. Meanwhile, employee Shahnaz said the government had assured them they would not be removed, but instead they were rendered jobless overnight without any prior notice.
Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and MP Sanjay Singh has sharply criticised the BJP-led central government for dismissing 112 employees associated with the prepaid taxi scheme in Delhi. He stated that these employees had worked hard for the past 40 years to make the prepaid taxi scheme successful and profitable. Now, they have been fired. The government will soon dismiss the remaining 38 employees as well. Where will these people go now at this age? He demanded that the central government reinstate all the employees and accommodate them in the new scheme.
Sanjay Singh questions Move to an app-based prepaid taxi system, Cites ₹10 Crore Fixed Deposit and 150 Employees’ Role
At a press conference at the AAP headquarters on Wednesday, Sanjay Singh stated that the Delhi Police introduced the concept of prepaid taxis nearly 40 years ago, in 1986. The intention was to ensure the safe transportation of passengers to their homes. There was a police surveillance system, and prepaid taxi booths were available for passengers who used prepaid taxis. Prepaid taxi passengers were strictly monitored for safe arrivals, and the Delhi Police charged a service fee for their services. This service charge was so substantial that the Delhi Police paid the entire salary and maintenance of the employees operating these prepaid taxis through this service charge.
Sanjay Singh further stated that the milestones of this scheme were the 150 employees who worked day and night tirelessly to make the prepaid taxi concept a success. Due to their tireless efforts, the prepaid taxi scheme had a fixed deposit of ₹10 crore. This meant it was a profitable scheme. Thanks to their tireless efforts, the ₹10 crore was deposited in fixed deposits. Suddenly, the Delhi Police and the Home Minister realised they needed to revamp the scheme. They wanted to operate the thousands of taxis operating under this prepaid taxi scheme through an app.
Sanjay Singh demands Reinstatement of 150 Prepaid Taxi Employees, urges centre to reverse ‘Unjust’ Decision
Sanjay Singh said that approximately 112 employees, who were the milestones in the scheme’s implementation, the foundational ones, whose hard work and dedication built this prepaid taxi scheme, have been fired. The remaining 38 employees will also be fired in a few days. Their future is also uncertain.
Sanjay Singh demanded from the Union Home Minister and the Delhi Police Commissioner that those who strengthened this prepaid taxi scheme by working day and night for 40 years should not be fired. Their families should not be pushed to the brink of starvation. Where will they go today at the ages of 60, 50, and 55? They have been pushed into a dark pit; this decision should be reversed. Whatever the government plans to implement, all 150 employees should be retained as they were before, under the same scheme. The DoPT also directed regularisation during 1993-96.
Sanjay Singh backs sacked Prepaid Taxi Staff as employees allege sudden Termination, denial of ‘Equal Pay’
An employee stated that letters had been written to every competent authority over the past several years, but no one listened. Today, MP Sanjay Singh has provided this platform. On one hand, the Delhi Police claims they are operating on a no-loss-no-profit basis, while on the other, the Cooperative Taxi Service, citing revenue generation issues, has been issuing termination letters since February 22nd. For the past 40 years, we have been receiving salaries of ₹25,000 to ₹26,000 and are paid ₹843 per day. Senior officials should address this issue.
An employee, Shahnaz, stated that she works as a clerk at the prepaid counter and that many of her colleagues earn their livelihoods. During training at the Cooperative Taxi Service, we were assured that we would not be fired, but would be provided with digitalised access to tablets and WiFi. But, without any notice, we were fired overnight. We are daily wage earners and receive no pension or other benefits. We even worked during the COVID-19 pandemic, where two of our colleagues died after contracting the virus, but their families were not given any financial assistance or jobs. Bharat Taxi claimed to work together, but we were the ones who were thrown out. We want justice and to be reinstated.
AAP demands Job Reinstatement
Another employee said that this fight has been going on since 1986. The Police Commissioner received orders from the High Court and the Supreme Court twice to classify them and provide them with “equal pay for equal work,” but they were denied even that. When it was previously stated that there was no budget, our expenses were still met from our sources of income. On what basis has the budget of Rs. 300 crore been released now?
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