ASSISTANCE BOOTH
>> To hire taxis, commuters can contact the Goa Miles Helpline “ 9607198989 or hail cabs on the Goa Miles taxi hailing app
>> For bus routes and other complaints, contact the control room at the North Goa Collectorate on (0832-2225083) and South (0832- 2794100)
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PANAJI: The state government has made arrangements for sufficient Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTC) buses and private state carriages to ply across the state today, in view of the strike called by the Goa Convention of Workers.
Invoking the relevant sections of the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) 1988, the government has deployed public and private transport vehicles on frequented routes, that will ferry passengers to railway stations, bus stops and other destinations. However, a press release by the Director of information and publicity urges students and other passengers traveling to airports or railway stations to leave well in advance. The government expects all flights, trains and many stage carriages to ply as usual.
Commuters who want to call a taxi can do so on the Goa Miles app, which the government has assured will be functioning normally. To hire taxis, commuters can contact the Goa Miles Helpline “ 9607198989 or hail cabs on the Goa Miles taxi hailing app. Rent-a-car services will also be available as usual.
For information on bus routes, queries and other complaints, the public can contact the control room at the North Goa Collectorate on (0832-2225083) and the South Goa Collectorate (0832- 2794100).
Calling the strike illegal, the government has said that any association or individuals found intimidating the public or transporters who are peacefully plying their vehicles, shall be "strictly dealt with in accordance with the law."
Further, the government has informed taxi operators who are not participating in the strike that there will be adequate police force deployed all over the state.
Meanwhile, in an order issued by North Goa Collector Levinson Martins, Martins directs at least one executive magistrate to be present at either the bus stands or major traffic areas of each taluka.
The order says that the control room which has been set up will particularly assist stranded tourists. Arrangements for shuttle services from various tourist points to railway station/airport have been made, and representatives from the Transport Department will be available in the control room (contact number given above) from 6am to 8pm.
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Urged taxis, buses to join
strike: Striking workers
PANAJI: The Goa Convention of Workers (GCW) has given a call to all those who are a part of the transport industry to join in the strike today, including taxi operators, private bus operators, and government bus operators, to join in the nation-wide strike today. However, they specified that this excludes the emergency services.
The GCW specified that they want the transport bill to be withdrawn as it will hurt and kill the transport industry. Protestors also want the prices of petrol, diesel, LPG cylinders to be controlled by the government.
Convenor of the GCW, Adv Suhas Naik said that those participating in the strike are also opposed to the government's proposal to modify the current 14 labour laws into just four. "These laws are being amended in favour of the employers," said Naik.
The bandh is also being held against the rising prices of essential commodities and against the policies of the government which are hurting the common man. "We are against GST," said Naik. "Even small traders and shop owners who try to register themselves on the GST portal, are not being accepted. Shop owners are facing extreme difficulties because of GST. We demand low GST, and if GST is there, the exorbitant tax should be minimised," he said.
All trade unions, mass organisations, farmers' organisations, and NGOs who participated in the partial strike, and morcha on Tuesday are expected to join in and support the strike today. "We have given a call to the people, the market vendors, the "bazaarkars", the shop keepers, the transporters, to join in the strike," said Adv Naik. "Everybody has been given a call as this is a people's movement. People have to support the strike to ensure that it is successful," he stressed adding that if the government didn't fulfill all their demands, the agitation would intensify.
