The Telangana State Cabs and Bus Operators Association (TSCBOA) has demanded an independent probe into the claims of US $ 50 million investment in Hyderabad by Uber, the aggregator in travel industry.

In a media statement, TSCBOA President Syed Nizamuddin said that the Uber management had completely failed to give promised business and incentives to the drivers, whom they enrolled as “Partners” and Uber be brought under the regulation of RTA regime.

“The drivers were lured into the contract on the promise of more than Rs. 70,000 monthly income. The drivers, who purchased new vehicles on finance on heavy interest rates were badly hit after the Uber and Ola managements drastically reduced their incentives and bookings. More than 150 drivers lodged a joint complaint of cheating by Uber management at Madhapur Police Station on November 10. However, no action was taken against the Uber management.” he said.

“Uber management is trying to shield its ugly face by using the flashy words like “Center of Excellence”, “investment” and “US $ 50 million. Instead of supporting the aggregators without bringing them under the purview of RTA or other regulatory authorities, a few officials are apparently supporting them for reasons best known to them. Further, as against the claims of hiring 150 staff for its “Center of Excellence”, the Uber has selectively sacked more than 1,000 drivers in the last three months as a punishment for participating in the protest,” said Syed Nizamuddin.

It is highly shocking that the Uber management was able to drag Information Technology Minister K. Tarakarama Rao into this mess. By posing for pictures with ministers and senior officials and getting media coverage with flash headlines, the Uber management is apparently trying to influence the ongoing cheating cases, he said.