MARGAO
As the tug of war to control the tourist taxi trade flared up between local tourist taxi operators and tour operators, Cavelossim tourist taxi operators on Tuesday demanded police action against a Telangana-based tour operator for attempting to collect guests from a starred hotel in the village.
Led by Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz, the Cavelossim tourist taxi operators have demanded an inquiry into the operation of the Telangana tour operator, which has a local address at Sao Jose de Areal in Goa.
After submitting a memorandum to the Colva police, with copies to Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, the Tourism Director, the Transport Director, and the district police Chief SP Sunita Sawant, Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon told the media that the local tourist taxi operators will be left to starve if outside tour operators come and collect guests from the village hotels.
“These tour operators tarnish the image of the local tourist taxi operators as mafia. But we now have a case where the tour operator is registered in Telangana. We have checked with the Tourism department, but the tour operator is not registered anywhere. Since the operator has given its address at Sao Jose de Areal village, we have asked the Areal Panchayat secretary to find out whether the company is registered with the Panchayat,” Dixon said.
“How can outside tour operators insist on doing business in our village when the local tourist taxi operators are paying taxes to the authorities and are burdened with the payment of loans, road tax, and insurance? How will the local operators sustain themselves if outside tour operators encroach on their business?” he added.
Justifying his decision to extend support to the local taxi operators, Dixon said the Cavelossim Panchayat is solidly behind the beleaguered local tourist taxi operators.
“What are the local tourist taxi operators supposed to do if illegal and unregistered tour operators come and take away guests right under their noses?” he demanded to know.
