PANAJI
The North Goa Rent-a-Cab Association on Friday complained to the Transport Department that about 2,000 private car and two-wheelers are being given on rent, thereby affecting the business of registered rent-a-cab association members.
The association has submitted a memorandum to the transport director, demanding action in the matter.
Speaking to reporters outside Transport Department office at Junta House, North Goa Rent-a-Cab Association President Ramdas Palkar alleged that Enforcement Squad of the regional transport department had become ineffective these days, as officials had failed to stop the illegal business regarding renting of vehicles.
The association members claimed there are around 2,000 unregistered private vehicles which are being given on rent and this had severely affected the business of around 5,000 registered commercial vehicles.
“During lockdown, our business has suffered badly and now, private cars and bikes are being given to tourists in an unregulated manner, which has further affected our livelihood,” said Palkar.
“Huge investment and maintenance costs have made it difficult for us to survive in this business.”
Claiming that the State government stands to lose revenue by way of taxes when private cars and bikes are given on rent, the association members said registered rent-a-cab members pay double insurance and some additional fees to the government to be permitted to rent out their vehicles.
“Our memorandum is the second reminder we have given to Transport Department as officials did not act on our first memorandum we had given 15 days ago,” said Palkar, adding that a memorandum had also been forwarded to the police and Enforcement Directorate.
The association members told reporters that a special squad of RTOs had earlier initiated action on owners of private vehicles being given on rent and said the permits of such vehicles were even suspended for three months.
They alleged that some hotel operators had been encouraging the illegal business of renting out private vehicles.
The association members said they are ready to assist Transport Department staff to stop this illegal practice.
