Demand inqury into agencies entrusted with task
PANAJI
As the Transport Department is gearing up to intensify enforcement of fitment and functioning of speed governors in commercial vehicles, the taxi operators have now levelled allegations of misconduct against the agencies entrusted with the task.
The operators questioned the authenticity of installation certificates issued by these agencies, citing instances where certificates were issued without actual installation. In another alleged scam, some devices were found to be malfunctioning.
“The agencies issued certificates (to taxi operators) confirming fitment of speed governors. The RTO subsequently granted fitness certificates and permits to the concerned owners. Our question is how could the RTO overlook this? Moreover, those taxis fitted with this device are found to be defective,” said association member Bhaskar Narulekar who led a delegation to the Department at Junta House on Tuesday, demanding inquiry.
The controversy surfaced after a circular mandating the installation and functioning of speed governors in all commercial vehicles, especially rent-a-cars. Government sources revealed that the Rule mandating speed governors for commercial vehicles, including rent-a-cars, has been in place since 2015.
The taxi operators also slammed the authorities for penalizing them over non-fulfilment of mandatory rules, while letting out other non-compliant cabbies such as GoaMiles.
About the defective speed governors, the association members alleged that the agencies have refused to give relief, prompting them to approach the department demanding action.
“We raised the matter to the Transport Minister's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) who assured us to initiate discussion with the minister and transport director. The agencies will be called by the government officials to resolve the issue,” another operator said.
