MARGAO: At a well-attended public meeting in Benaulim, the South Goa Congress candidate, Captain Viriato Fernandes, sharply criticised the BJP government for trying to undermine the business of local taxi owners in Goa. Fernandes was joined by leaders of the INDIA alliance at the event.
Addressing the taxi operator community, Fernandes accused the government of not only crippling their livelihood but also labelling them as a 'mafia'. He blamed the Transport Minister's decisions, such as the implementation of speed governors and digital meters, for compounding the problems faced by taxi operators.
He took potshots at the Transport Minister for dictating media bytes to South Goa BJP candidate Pallavi Dempo.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao pledged to review the permissions and functioning of Goa Miles, a taxi aggregator service, if voted to power.
On that note, Fernandes, speaking later, alleged that the BJP's double-engine government, at the State and Centre, is deliberately trying to "finish the business of local taxi owners" to pave the way for the entry of Uber in Goa. He pointed out that the Adani group has invested in Uber and accused the government of favouring "crony capitalists" over local businesses, citing the example of the alleged systematic killing of BSNL to benefit private companies.
Fernandes also touched upon the government's plans to convert Goa into a coal hub through double-tracking, warning that it would further damage tourism due to coal pollution, adversely affecting the taxi industry.
Fernandes emphasized the importance of Goans being aware that the coal transported to Goa is merely being forwarded to Karnataka, providing no tangible benefits to the state. Instead, he warned, it carries severe consequences, including environmental degradation, which outweigh any perceived advantages.
Other INDIA. bloc leaders questioned the state government's alleged bias towards "outsiders" over local stakeholders like taxi operators, criticising the tourism department's policies.
Local taxi union leaders also addressed the I.N.D.I.A bloc, voicing their concerns.
Earlier during his campaign trail, Fernandes urged the public to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the unfulfilled promise of granting special status to Goa, which he had made during the 2014 elections. He accused the PM of making false assurances, such as restarting mining in Goa, and deceiving the nation through measures like the nominal reduction in fuel prices, despite the low global crude oil prices warranting a much steeper cut by the Central government.