NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 23, 2026: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah today interacted with the ‘Sarathis’ of Bharat Taxi in New Delhi, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to building a cooperative-based mobility ecosystem rooted in dignity, ownership and shared prosperity.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Amit Shah emphasised that cooperation means ensuring that those who labour also share in the profits. He stated that the objective of Bharat Taxi is to transform driver brothers and sisters into respected ‘Sarathis’ and make them owners in the company’s profits. He underlined that Bharat Taxi is not merely a taxi scheme but a transformative initiative aimed at instilling dignity and self-respect among Sarathis.
The Minister highlighted that Sarathis are shareholders and stakeholders in Bharat Taxi and will have representation on its Board of Directors. Any Sarathi can acquire ownership rights by purchasing shares, and certain board positions will be reserved for their representatives. He noted that in the first three years, the focus will be on expansion, after which profits will be shared, with 80 per cent returned to Sarathis and 20 per cent retained for growth and capital formation.
Shri Shah stated that Bharat Taxi will operate on a transparent and viable pricing model based on minimum operational costs and fair margins, ensuring that services do not run below sustainable rates. He said that 20 percent of earnings will be deposited as Sarathis’ capital while 80 percent will be credited directly to their accounts based on kilometres driven. Cooperative banks will support Sarathis through loans by mortgaging their taxis, strengthening financial inclusion.
He also announced that Bharat Taxi will expand to every municipal corporation in the country within the next three years. Emphasizing transparency, Shri Shah said that all operational information will be shared with Sarathis through notifications, making Bharat Taxi one of the most transparent cab services globally. A dedicated grievance window will allow Sarathis to log complaints and influence policy improvements.
The Minister further introduced the ‘Sarathi Didi’ initiative, aimed at empowering women drivers and ensuring safety for women passengers. He stressed that Bharat Taxi seeks not only to serve customers efficiently but also to safeguard the welfare, dignity and long-term prosperity of Sarathis through a sustained cooperative model.
