MARGAO: A delegation of South Goa private tourist taxi owners, led by Benaulim NCP MLA Churchill Alemao, met town and country planning minister Vijai Sardesai at Fatorda on Saturday and urged him to draft a master plan to solve pending issues plaguing taxi operators
Stating that CM Manohar Parrikar had assured them of an amicable solution before November 19, the taxi operators sought that the BJP-led coalition government draft a master plan for 5-10 years, taking all tourism stakeholders into confidence. They reiterated their demand of putting up fare charts displaying government notified tariffs at all tourist sites in Goa and of being taken into confidence during revisions. The cab operators said they had complained to the police for action against vehicles plying sans requisite permits. They also demanded that speed governors be installed for all vehicles, barring those of emergency services.
Sardesai also heard their grievances regarding difficulties in implementing digital meters and speed governors as directed by the high court, besides the harassment they claimed they were subjected to by transport department officials.
On May 4, a delegation led by Alemao had met Sardesai at the South Goa collectorate to narrate similar woes and the minister had assured them of his support. This time, too, he promised the taxi owners that the government will resolve their issues after a cabinet meeting on November 22 and that a joint meeting of cab owners, transport and tourism authorities will be convened soon.
"Their main demand is the government should not take any adhoc decisions like the previous governments had done. Also, they want the decisions to be long term. Deputy speaker Michael Lobo has already taken up their issue," Sardesai said.
Stating that CM Manohar Parrikar had assured them of an amicable solution before November 19, the taxi operators sought that the BJP-led coalition government draft a master plan for 5-10 years, taking all tourism stakeholders into confidence. They reiterated their demand of putting up fare charts displaying government notified tariffs at all tourist sites in Goa and of being taken into confidence during revisions. The cab operators said they had complained to the police for action against vehicles plying sans requisite permits. They also demanded that speed governors be installed for all vehicles, barring those of emergency services.
Sardesai also heard their grievances regarding difficulties in implementing digital meters and speed governors as directed by the high court, besides the harassment they claimed they were subjected to by transport department officials.
On May 4, a delegation led by Alemao had met Sardesai at the South Goa collectorate to narrate similar woes and the minister had assured them of his support. This time, too, he promised the taxi owners that the government will resolve their issues after a cabinet meeting on November 22 and that a joint meeting of cab owners, transport and tourism authorities will be convened soon.
"Their main demand is the government should not take any adhoc decisions like the previous governments had done. Also, they want the decisions to be long term. Deputy speaker Michael Lobo has already taken up their issue," Sardesai said.
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