PANAJI
Food delivery gig workers in Goa are set to come under closer government scrutiny, with the authorities preparing a comprehensive campaign to check their health status, police verification and the legality of two-wheelers used by them for deliveries.
The campaign, likely to begin after Ganesh Chaturthi, will also put food delivery platforms under the scanner as the government seeks greater regulatory oversight of the rapidly expanding gig economy.
Reliable sources said the issue was discussed at a senior-level meeting attended by Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, Transport Secretary Mahesh Kumar Shambhu and Transport Director Arvind Khutkar. The issue came to light following concern raised over recruitment of several non-Goans into the business and use of non-Goa registered bikes for food delivery.
“During the meeting, the Minister raised concern. It was apparently learnt that there are no health checks of these food delivery people as well as no police verification. Hence, the transport department decided to take the lead and take police and health officials onboard,” sources said.
The Health Department is expected to verify whether food delivery personnel have undergone mandatory health checks to establish that they are free from communicable diseases. Officials are likely to check whether workers possess valid health cards and whether these contain records of periodic medical examinations.
The government is also likely to examine the police verification status of delivery workers, particularly since they routinely enter residential premises while delivering food. Food delivery companies may be asked to maintain details of workers’ identity, addresses and police verification.
Another key focus will be the large number of two-wheelers registered outside Goa being used by delivery workers. The Transport Department is expected to examine the vehicles’ registration details, the period for which they have been in Goa, the nature of their use and the documents of the riders.
Officials, however, will have to distinguish between an out-of-state vehicle being used legally and one violating registration requirements. "Under Section 46 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a vehicle validly registered in one state can be used across India. But under Section 47, if a vehicle is kept in another state for more than 12 months, its owner is required to apply for a new registration mark in that state," sources explained
Thus, an outside-registered bike is not automatically illegal in Goa, but continued use beyond the permitted period without complying with re-registration requirements could attract action, sources said
