The High Court's directive to speed up implementation of the digital meters effectively means that the government will now have to do a job which has been pending for almost two years, in two weeks' time. The government has told the court that it has already issued an order on digital meters, but what it could not convince the court is why it's taking them so long to get it implemented. Was the question of fixing of the standard responsible for this inordinate delay or was the government content in delaying the inevitable for the simple reason that it could be a bumpy taxi ride? Interestingly, nothing materialized even after a recent assurance by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on the Floor of the House that all issues will be resolved by September.
The government in a notification issued in December 2015 had made installation of digital meters mandatory for all taxis with immediate effect. Cabs were required to also install global positioning system (GPS) tracking system and a printer. The transport department had made it clear that no new permits or renewals will be issued to the taxis unless they are fitted with a digital meter.
With the court time-frame looming, the government will now have to go in top gear and get its act right. It has to finalize suppliers and standards, besides deciding on the tender process. On the other side, a bigger challenge awaits where the taxi lobby is pressing for settlement of their demands. Crackdown on illegal taxi operators and fixation of rates will have to be addressed quickly, besides working out issues like subsidy on meters.
The High Court order will not only test the competency of government's manpower for application of mind, but will also expose the lethargy in delaying implementation of its own order. Questions will still be raised on why government failed to go ahead with digital meters after its 2015 order while also not addressing any of the issues raised by the taxi lobby.
The issues which are raised by the taxi lobby need to be addressed immediately. It's a matter of their livelihood. According to estimates, there are around 22,000 taxi operators in Goa with a similar number of families being dependent on the business. There are around 2,500 private vehicles illegally operating as taxis and another 2,500 rent-a-bikes doing illegal business. There has to be crackdown on these vehicles. The transport department should seize all such vehicles found doing business without taxi licences.
Besides working out subsidies for digital meters, quick service and maintenance within the State must be ensured so that their day-to-day services are not affected. Government should lead from the front and stop hiring private vehicles as taxis. There are many private vehicles, mostly owned by those connected to the people in power, which are being used as taxis in the guise of service to officials "On Government Duty". This should stop immediately and government should implement its long taken decision to hire taxi services for departmental work. The High Court verdict of digital meters have been accepted by the taxi lobby, but the government should protect their interests too on priority.
The government in a notification issued in December 2015 had made installation of digital meters mandatory for all taxis with immediate effect. Cabs were required to also install global positioning system (GPS) tracking system and a printer. The transport department had made it clear that no new permits or renewals will be issued to the taxis unless they are fitted with a digital meter.
With the court time-frame looming, the government will now have to go in top gear and get its act right. It has to finalize suppliers and standards, besides deciding on the tender process. On the other side, a bigger challenge awaits where the taxi lobby is pressing for settlement of their demands. Crackdown on illegal taxi operators and fixation of rates will have to be addressed quickly, besides working out issues like subsidy on meters.
The High Court order will not only test the competency of government's manpower for application of mind, but will also expose the lethargy in delaying implementation of its own order. Questions will still be raised on why government failed to go ahead with digital meters after its 2015 order while also not addressing any of the issues raised by the taxi lobby.
The issues which are raised by the taxi lobby need to be addressed immediately. It's a matter of their livelihood. According to estimates, there are around 22,000 taxi operators in Goa with a similar number of families being dependent on the business. There are around 2,500 private vehicles illegally operating as taxis and another 2,500 rent-a-bikes doing illegal business. There has to be crackdown on these vehicles. The transport department should seize all such vehicles found doing business without taxi licences.
Besides working out subsidies for digital meters, quick service and maintenance within the State must be ensured so that their day-to-day services are not affected. Government should lead from the front and stop hiring private vehicles as taxis. There are many private vehicles, mostly owned by those connected to the people in power, which are being used as taxis in the guise of service to officials "On Government Duty". This should stop immediately and government should implement its long taken decision to hire taxi services for departmental work. The High Court verdict of digital meters have been accepted by the taxi lobby, but the government should protect their interests too on priority.
