PANAJI
Speaking to The Goan, Munna Sheikh the secretary of the Goa Rent-a-Cab Operators Association, said that the order has come as a huge relief to them as it would force the government which had ignored their applications for permissions for long to finally take a decision.
“We are legally entitled to be given licences to run rent a cab operations. For long the government has not acted in the matter giving one excuse or another,” Sheikh said.
Soon after the order was pronounced, the members of the association called on the Director of Transport in order to press him to take a decision in the matter.
“The director told that the matter would be placed before the State Transport Authority and an appropriate decision will be taken,” Sheikh said.
The state government had imposed a moratorium on the issue of licences to the rent a cab operators under pressures from the taxi owners lobby and the MLAs backing them.
The rent a car owners approached the Bombay High Court at Goa praying for relief seeking that the government grant licences which they say they are legally entitled to.
They have cited provisions of the Motor Transport rules, which allow for self drive cars to be given on hire.
Shaikh said that excuses that the documents not submitted correctly, etc would not be valid since it was the duty of the transport department to inform the applicants of the missing documents and they would have been fulfilled.
Shaikh said that he hoped the govt would react positively to the decision of the Court and help lift them up from their present situation. The 500 member strong association also expressed gratitude to their lawyer Adv Surendra Desai and Shireen Naik.
GOVT IN REAR SEAT
State govt told to settle issue of permissions
within six weeks
If it decides in negative, will have to give it in writing
HC order comes as a huge relief to rent-a-cab operators
The order forces the government to finally take a decision
The matter will now be placed before State Transport Authority
