PANAJI
The Pramod Sawant-led cabinet on Monday granted its approval for the launch of 'Goa Taxi App' a taxi aggregator service which will be 'owned' by State-owned Goa Electronics Limited (GEL).
Announcing this, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said, all taxi operators joining the app will be waived off all annual tax and other charges by amending the Motor Vehicle Act for a period of two years.
The much debated 'Goa taxi app' is being vehemently opposed by taxi operators and their association even as the State government said that taxi operations at the new Manohar International Airport at Mopa will be routed only through the app.
Giving details of the Cabinet decision, Godinho said an 'advisory body' will be constituted to monitor the operation and progress of the taxi app which will include stakeholders.
Registered taxi unions, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), tourism department and transport department will have representation on the advisory body, which will also suggest welfare measures for the member taxi operators, Godinho said.
Elaborating on the decision to waive off the taxes and other dues including annual renewals for the taximen joining the app, Godinho said, once the MV Act is amended there will be two taxation systems -- one for taxi operators who join the app and another for the others not on the app.
