THE KALI PEELI OF MUMBAI

 

THE KALI PEELI OF MUMBAI

 

Mumbai city boasts of its Public Transport System, even with all the flaws during the wet and confusing monsoons and the same ‘copy pasted’ news articles and cameras focusing on the waterlogged roads. With all the minor flaws, the Mumbai Public Transport is arguably the best, managing effectively the ever increasing population densities and complexities.

I remember the time during my graduation in the mid 90s, in the pre-digital era, how convenient the cab network used to be, as a second tier support system for us students, who wanted to take a break from the BEST busses and travel in the cab ‘luxury’ with a tenner in pocket or max, a twenty rupee note. Since there were no UPI IDs, the circulation of liquid cash in the economy was comparatively more and there used to be an easy supply of cash change. In fact, it used to be expected that a shopkeeper or a cab driver would have small change with them while transacting their daily business. The shifting sands of times have ushered in a digital online payment system which is now a boon to all, that is customers, businessmen or even small hawkers alike. The Jan Dhan Yojna accounts by the Govt have at least ensured that the absence of cash does not affect business. Life has suddenly become so easy and now the wallets have become lighter with only the Cards as chief occupants making the ‘rear side’ lighter. It is interesting to see how much can technology contribute in easing out the daily lives of not only the rich but equally the poor. The hawkers, vegetable vendors, panwallas, guy selling wada pav in the corner and so many of them have their scan codes or Mobile numbers linked to UPI IDs to enable cashless flow of transactions.

In spite of the above luxury that has impacted all and sundry, it seems our Kali Peeli cabs are bereft of the same making life really difficult to us consumers or travelers, in an environment of  liquid cash shortage if I don’t call it starvation. Is it a business opportunity to keep the change in the pretext of not having change or just creating life difficult is not clear but it does not gel with the progress the other small business communities of hawkers and vendors have graduated to. When such hawkers at the roadside and pavements can accept digital payments, it is not understood why our cab drivers are so reluctant. It would make life so much more easy for the commuters as well their own.

There are cabs who do have a UPI Code displayed but extremely minimal. One reason for this could be that there are many drivers who take shifts in driving the same cab. However, if they open an account in one name and link it with UPI and divide the income earned in a day as per their own understanding, it would be a progressive step. This is one suggested way and surely there would be many more.

Last week there was a drive launched by the RTO to check errant cab drivers from charging extra fares, breaking signals, seating additional people etc. There should be some thought given also in making UPI Codes compulsory as well. Surely, the authorities would have put some thought to improve this significant aspect to uplift  public transport which would actually be a big public welfare. There is no reason for our favorite Kali Peelis to be bereft of the gains of the digital payment system and even if there is one, it should be addressed at the RTO level to make this system compulsory with rigid timelines. Anything beyond, should carry a hefty penalty to the errant drivers.

All good laws need to accompanied with an iron fist for implementation. A beginning well made is half done and so let it be with this as well. 

                                                                                                                  - by Manujendra Singh