Bharat Taxi Service Launched in Maharashtra by CM Fadnavis and Union Minister Mohol
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
The 'Bharat Taxi' service was launched in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol. This initiative extends the cooperative mobility model to Maharashtra, following its earlier launch in Delhi and Gujarat, aiming to create employment and promote cooperative principles in the transport sector.
Background
The cooperative sector in India has a long history, with over 8.60 lakh cooperative societies. In 2021, the government established a separate Ministry of Cooperation under Amit Shah to strengthen the sector. 'Bharat Taxi' is a cooperative taxi service that treats drivers as owners and shareholders, avoiding surge pricing and hidden fees.
Key facts
Bharat Taxi was launched in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, on 23 July 2026.
The service is based on the cooperative model, where drivers (called 'Sarthi') are owners and shareholders.
It follows Prime Minister Modi's vision of 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' (Prosperity through Cooperation).
Maharashtra has about 2.5 lakh cooperative societies out of over 8.60 lakh in India.
The service aims to create employment for youth, women, and local residents in Maharashtra.
Bharat Taxi eliminates surge pricing and hidden charges, ensuring affordable fares for passengers and fair earnings for drivers.
The launch in Maharashtra follows earlier launches in Delhi and Gujarat.
Since the formation of the Ministry of Cooperation in 2021, about 152 important decisions have been taken to strengthen the cooperative sector.
About 40,000 new cooperative societies have been formed, and 39,000 societies run PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras.
PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) are being computerized at a cost of about ₹3,000 crore.
Prelims pointers
- Bharat Taxi: cooperative taxi service launched in Maharashtra (Navi Mumbai) on 23 July 2026.
- Ministry of Cooperation established in 2021; first minister: Amit Shah.
- National Cooperation Policy (new) announced.
- Target to set up 2 lakh new multi-purpose cooperative societies across India.
- PACS computerization: ₹3,000 crore project.
- PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras run by 39,000 cooperative societies.
- 54,000 PACS functioning as Common Service Centres (CSCs).
- Maharashtra has ~2.5 lakh cooperative societies (largest in India).
- Sahkar se Samriddhi: PM Modi's vision for cooperative-led prosperity.
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of cooperative societies in promoting inclusive growth and employment in India.
- Critically examine the government's initiatives to strengthen the cooperative sector since 2021.
- How can the cooperative model be leveraged to disrupt monopolistic practices in the transport sector?
- Analyze the significance of 'Bharat Taxi' in the context of 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' and its potential impact on the gig economy.