Allege political meddling, instigation by some taxi drivers
PANAJI
The rental car operators have strongly objected to the Transport Department’s recent directive, which restricts them from operating outside their registered main or branch offices.
The notice has also warned that violations could result in strict action such as cancellation of licenses.
A delegation from the rental car association met Transport Director Pravimal Abhishek on Tuesday, submitting a memorandum that referred to the minutes of a 2019 State Transport Authority (STA) meeting. The operators argued that STA had agreed upon the guidelines which did not specify restrictions on business locations. The aggrieved operators have alleged political interference in the issue.
“The Director should have given us one or two months to discuss our concerns. We are not against tourist taxi drivers and do not want any miscommunication, but we strongly suspect that a handful of them operating at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, have instigated this action against us,” said one of the rental car operators, while speaking to the media after the meeting with the Director in the Office of Transport Department, Panaji.
They reiterated that the 2019 STA guidelines did not mention any prohibition on operating from locations such as airports, railway stations or hotels and hence, the present notice should not impose any restriction on their business.
“Everyone has the right to carry out their business,” said another operator.
Another rental car operator claimed that some of them have legally signed agreements with MIA Airport and have designated parking slots there. However, the transport officials have now begun issuing challans and ordering the removal of rental vehicles from the premises.
On February 21, the Transport Department issued a public notice warning that licenses of violators would be suspended if they were caught offering rental cab services from public places such as airports and railway stations.
The department cited violations of conditions outlined under the Rent-a-Cab Scheme, 1989, and directed operators to conduct their business strictly from their registered offices.
