IntellectBeat

India has drafted guidelines to regulate ride-hailing companies, including US-based Uber and its domestic rival Ola, for the first time laying down federal rules that could end months of uncertainty on how they operate in the country. The federal transportation ministry has asked states to ensure companies operate with call centres and their taxis follow emission norms, according to a six-page advisory issued last week and reviewed by Reuters on Tuesday. The guidelines also call for extensive background checks of drivers to ensure passenger safety. Any person who has in the past been convicted of any "cognizable offence" under India's criminal laws should not be allowed to become a driver. Although it is not yet clear whether the guidelines will be binding on the states and much uncertainty still remains, Uber and Ola both welcomed the move as a step in the right direction. Ola, backed by Japan's Softbank, called the advisory a "progressive directive" th...