The Angami Youth Organization (AYO) on Saturday shared the findings of its recent Taxi Verification Drive from June 24 till July 2, exposing serious irregularities in the issuance and use of taxi permits in the capital city.

Addressing, a press conference at its office in Kohima, AYO Committee member, Megokolie Pier presented the data collected during the drive, revealing that a total of 2412 taxis were verified and issued AYO verification stickers.

However, he said only 843 taxis were found to be operated by their fist owners, while the remaining 1569 were being operated by second, third, fourth or even fifth owners. He also informed that 448 taxis bore registration numbers post NL01 T A0703.

He further informed that 544 drivers were identified as non-locals, 415 taxis were operated by non-indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland and only 1109 were both self-owned and self-driven.

While highlighting several other irregularities, Pier stated that they found instances of multiple taxi permits being held within a single family, with two to three permits issues to members of the same household. Permits were also found in the names of 7 and 8 years old girls.

Pier further highlighted that many permit holders sell the permits within a month or two of issuance. He also said the data revealed that numerous taxi drivers were operating without valid ANTA ID cards.

AYO Committee member, Vipu Zashümo clarified that the verification drive was initiated by the AYO after an RTI was filed with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in 2024, and received an unsatisfactory reply.

He highlighted that on July 6, 2022, an order which stated that no new taxi permits were to be issued. However, the AYO found that surpassing the Government order, over 577 permits had been issued in violation of the directive.

Claiming that more illegal permits were issued, Zashümo said while some taxis acquired permits through proper channel, many taxi owners and drivers revealed that they had paid between Rs 75,000 to Rs 90,000 to obtain permit illegally.

“Taxi permits are meant for unemployed youths. Is the government or the concerned department not robbing them of this opportunity?” he questioned.

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Zashümo said that AYO had initiated the verification drive to find facts seeing the scenario of Kohima. He said almost all empty spaces in Kohima town were occupied by taxi stands and there were no more empty space for private vehicles. Some private vehicles repainted in taxi colours without permits and are plying, he added.

Citing growing issues of traffic congestion in Kohima, Zashümo said more than 3000 taxis are plying in Kohima. He questioned how the town can progress where there are very old taxis plying, drivers not in order, which ultimately puts the safety of commuters in question. He further mentioned that during the 12-day verification drive, AYO found that there are some taxis with no proper permit validity.

“For a local taxi permit validity is 5 years after that they can go for renewal . However some taxis have renewed for more than a decade while some are even in the possession of expired permits, “ he added.

He further stated that during the verification, it was found that permits have been issued against minors (7-8 years old). He also said taxi permit is non-transferable, but AYO found that permits were sold to even second/third/fourth and fifth owner.

Talking about permits being renewed in proxy, Zashümo said if the original permit holder is A, there are cases where person B goes and renew it.

“Under the name of A, we found passport of B. We also question of the concerned Department that if taxi permits are given to create employment, why is the taxi permit in the hands of a government servant? A single person is acquiring more than three to four permits,” he said.

He urged the concerned department and the state government to implement its own state transport policy.

AYO President Kesosul Christopher Ltu informed that the verification drive was initially planned for eight days but was extended to 11 due to high participation. He said AYO’s primary objective was to address the unregulated growth of taxis, traffic jam issue, and parking problems, and more importantly, to help  educated unemployed youth as taxi is a consumer service, which would help many.

Ltu informed that if permit is acquired through a proper channel, it has a nominal amount where the permit is for 5 years, tax should be renewed every year and after 5 year, permits should be renewed while road tax should be paid every year.

Emphasizing the need to streamline the system, Ltu said the AYO had earlier requested the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima to ensure permits are issued with strict compliance measures.

Highlighting the absence of a state transport policy, Ltu urged the government to table and pass a Motor Transport Policy Bill in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

He said that the number of unverified taxis mean that they do not have proper documents and unverified vehicles should not play.

He further warned that taxis which are not verified would be held solely responsible and also urged commuters to take services from verified taxis.