PANAJI
App-based taxi service Goa Miles which is on the arduous path in Goa for the last two years is again on the bumpy road, this time with Ports Minister and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo's controversial statement that Manohar Parrikar who took the decision to allow Goa Miles to operate in Goa did not take any ministers in to confidence while taking the decision and that Goan people were now suffering as a result.
"In the matter of Goa Miles, he (Parrikar) did not take any of us in to confidence. Manohar Parrikar was my leader but in this issue, he left us with such chaos that Goans are suffering," Lobo said while speaking to media persons outside the state assembly on Monday.
"Parrikar who gave permission to Goa Miles is not here with us now and his idea of an app-based taxi system has not been workable in Goa," said Lobo to emphasise his point that Goa Miles has not been successful in Goa.
"If Goa Miles is an app-based taxi service, then they should not call the customers in the hotels. If it is an app-based service, why is there a counter of Goa Miles at the airport? If it is app-based, why are they selling tickets at the counter?" he argued.
Lobo further accused the people behind Goa Miles of cheating the Goa government and said that if Goa Miles was a good service then all the taxi owners would have supported it. However, no one has joined the app-based service, he added.
Hinting a decision in favour of local taximen opposing Goa Miles, Lobo said the taxi issue will be resolved.
“We have taken a personal interest in it. I am not saying the app will be scrapped but the right decision will be taken in the interest of Goan drivers and taxi owners," added Lobo.
Don't discredit Parrikar for his good decisions: Goa Miles
PANAJI: Reacting to Ports Minister Michael Lobo's statement, managing director of Goa Miles Parashar Pai Khot has said that Lobo was well aware of Goa Miles when it won the tender.
“Former CM, late Manohar Parrikar had called on Micheal Lobo and Nilesh Cabral and asked them if they had any issues. However, both said that they did not,” said Pai Khot, adding, "Lobo has tried to take advantage of the fact that Parrikar is no more. Parrikar was a strong CM. He was an IITian and he had the vision."
Taking Lobo head-on, the young MD said that Goa Miles will continue its service despite the opposition.
While clarifying the allegation that Goa Miles is using a counter at the airport for ticket sales, Pai Khot said that it is just an information counter and no other cash dealing is done.
Pai Khot also refuted the allegation that Goa Miles drivers do not have a badge issued by the transport department. If it is brought to our notice that our drivers does not have any badges we will immediately remove such drivers, he added.
