PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa has disposed of a contempt petition that was filed by the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa after the state government in its compliance report told the court that out of the estimated 11,250 taxis operating in the State of Goa, 9,366 taxies have been fitted with meters.
Hearing the petition that was filed by the TTAG back in 2021 owing to the slow pace of meter installation by the taxi operators, the High Court noted that with nearly all the taxis now having installed the meters, the contempt petition could be disposed of.
“Out of the estimated 11,250 taxis operating in the State of Goa, 9,366 taxis have been fitted with meters. He submits that a further 50 taxis have booked appointments for installation. Considering such a statement, we do not think that we should keep the Contempt Petition pending. Accordingly, we dispose of this Contempt Petition,” the Bombay High Court at Goa ruled.
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa which had originally filed a petition back in 2016 based on which the Goa government had pledged to have the meters installed way back in the year 2020. However, when that deadline was not met, the TTAG filed a contempt petition before the High Court.
Several petitions filed by taxi associations challenging the various directives by the Goa government were not entertained by the High Court leaving the taxi operators with no option but to install the meters at the rates mandated by the sole company empanelled by the government.
