PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday put his foot down on taxi aggregator and use of app-based meters.
In a decisive statement, the CM said that all MLAs including Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao had agreed that all taxi operators have to go on the aggregator app. He also said they will have to use meters.
Sawant also claimed that the protest by the taxi operators at Pernem as politically motivated targeted at him as on the second last day of the recent assembly session all MLAs, including Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, agreeing that there is need to have app-based taxi operations in the State.
Speaking to reporters at Porvorim, Sawant said, “From time to time, the issues of taxi operators have been resolved by the government. On the second last day of the recent Assembly session, I had a meeting with all the MLAs and all of them, including the Leader of the Opposition, had agreed that everyone should come under the app based aggregator.”
“It was also decided that they will be provided meters so that they do not have to pay for the meters which are installed in the taxis. They can develop their own app,” CM said.
“This protest is politically motivated. Somebody is supporting them. The way they are asking questions, it is clear that they are being supported by someone. It is clear with the way they are speaking and targeting the Chief Minister,” Sawant said.
The Chief Minister said the issue of taxi operators from Mopa is simple and he had resolved these issues from time to time.
“We have given blue taxis to the land losers. Even gave them a stand as well, parking fee which was revised from Rs 80 to Rs 200 was rolled back to Rs 80 and parking timing was increased from 5 minutes to 10 minutes,” Sawant said.
“I do not know what the protest is for. Their all demands have been fulfilled. People from outside are speaking whatever they want,” he said.
However later the taxi operators, who had come to meet the Chief Minister at his official residence at Altinho, could not meet him as the entire delegation was not allowed to enter the chief minister's residence. This annoyed the taxi operators and they left without meeting the chief minister.
Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, “Pernem MLA had brought them. I told them that only taxi operators from Pernem should meet me. Because the issue is only related to Mopa and Pernem.”
“On the all Goa taxi issue, discussions are underway with all the MLAs. Discussion was held during the assembly session and all the MLAs had agreed that taxis should come under aggregators,” the CM said.
Later, the Chief Minister called the taxi operators from Pernem to the Secretariat at Porvorim to discuss their six demands.
“I have requested them to call off their strike,” Sawant told reporters.
TTAG appeals CM to remain firm on app-based cabs
Team Herald
PANJIM: The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) on Friday made a firm appeal to the government not to be swayed by pressures, to postpone the deployment of technology in transportation and urged it to be firm on having an app for taxi business in the State.
Addressing a press conference, TTAG President Jack Sukhija said, “It is very critical that we be abreast of the trends across the world. There is technology in all sectors. It is only in Goa that we do not have technology for transport. Small attempt has been made through GoaMiles and Goa Taxi App. It is our humble request to our taxi operator brothers to please introduce technology in the transport sector.”
“You have to move on with the time. If you are with the vested interest, then you are going to kill the goose which is the tourism industry. My request is that the government should stand strong on it and see that the app-based taxis are allowed. We also request the opposition parties to come together and be with the government on this issue,” he said.
“A solution should be found which helps us in moving ahead with time. We should see what we require and try to do it,” Sukhija said.
Former TTAG President Nilesh Shah said there is a need to understand that tourism is the core business in the state which has given employment to around 2.5 lakh people.
“Whoever comes to Goa says there is a problem with taxis. If that is the case then it is high time that all politicians come together and the government should regularize the business. We need to understand that other countries are changing their policies. They are luring tourists. If we fail to address the issues, be rest assured that we will see a downward trend,” he said.