MARGAO
Tourist taxi operators from Benaulim constituency on Saturday called on MLA Venzy Viegas with a plea to the government to postpone the implementation of the speed governors by one year.
The tourist taxi operators pointed out that they cannot meet the deadline set by the government with the private players engaged in installing the speed governors have shut their workshops and headed to their states.
They made a plea to the government to ensure that the Transport Department gives the fitness certificate for the tourist taxi vehicles for the coming financial year.
Insisting that the government should make it mandatory for the vehicle manufacturers to install the speed governors at the manufacturing stage, a couple of operators highlighted the defects encountered in the speed governors installed by private operators.
After giving a patient hearing to the taxi operators, MLA Viegas said he has taken up cudgels for the beleaguered tourist taxi operators since the taxi business is their only means of livelihood. He said since the speed governors are sought to be implemented through the court, the government should have given relief to the operators by making submission by giving one year’s time to the operators to install the units. “The Advocate General should have spoken on behalf of the taxi operators. Why speed governors only for the taxi vehicles. Even the private vehicles, besides government vehicles and vehicles used by the Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs are also prone to accidents,” he said.
He added: “The issue is simple. Either the government should insist on the installation of the speed governors at the manufacturing stage or give time for the taxi operators by one year to get the governors implemented,” he said.
Venzy reminded that these very same tourist taxi operators inhabiting Salcete coastal belt from Cavelosim to Colva had helped the tourism sector to reach the present level. “One should not forget that the coastal belt was once a big jungle. Managements of the starred hotels sought the help of the locals to set up the hotels and resorts. The locals started the taxi business and took care of the tourists visiting these hotels. We should take care to ensure that these hardworking and sincere people, who helped the industry to grow, are not harassed just to get the fitness certificate,” Viegas added.
