PANAJI
In a statement which could potentially invoke a fresh stand-off between Goa’s taxi ownes and the state’s only cab aggregator service GoaMiles, Ports Minister Michael Lobo on Tuesday said that once digital meters are installed in all taxis across the state, cars operated by the cab aggregator service will not be allowed to pick up passengers from North Goa.
Speaking to reporters in Panaji, Lobo also reminded Chief Minister Pramod Sawant about an assurance reportedly given by former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to taxi drivers that the Goa government would foot the bill for outfitting taxis with digital meters.
Lobo also said that he had met Sawant on Tuesday and that the CM had directed Director of Transport Ranjit Satardekar to stop the process of terminating taxi permits -- for non-installation of digital meters -- and said that a resolution on the issue would be arrived at within a week.
“There is no question of someone else stealing business from my hotel if everyone follows the meter. So someone from Panaji cannot steal this business. I am saying this clearly. I will not allow this. I will stand by taxi owners in my constituency and entire north Goa. I will not allow anyone to take (their) business,” Lobo told reporters.
“Once everyone has installed a meter there will be uniform rates. It won’t differ from hotel to hotel. There is no question of someone else stealing business... If everyone has a meter, they will follow the meter. With meters in place, we will not allow cab agregator to take our business. Under which rule will they steal business?”
Lobo asked.
Lobo also said that he has explained the predicament faced by the taxi drivers, who had not been able to pay bank EMIs for three to four months.
“It has been five months and there has been no business due to Covid. And in this situation, they cannot be expected to pay for digital meters which cost Rs 11,500. Some of them have received notices from banks after bouncing of four to five installments,” Lobo said.
“In these circumstances should they pay Rs 11,500 for a meter or should the government help them? Parrikar had promised them that he would install digital meters free of cost,” Lobo also said.
“In the next four days, he (CM) will explore ways to provide free digital meters. The (digital meter) contractor should install the meters free and the government should pay him the money directly,” Lobo said.
