PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa on Tuesday asked the All Goa Private Bus Owners Association whether they wished to withdraw their petition seeking that the taxi operators be given leeway to install app-based meters rather than the digital meters by the sole suppliers as is presently mandated by the Goa government.
When the matter came up for hearing Adv Dattaprasad Lawande told the court that they are seeking a limited relief in the form of seeking that their representation to the Goa government be decided on merits.
“The amendment (mandating digital meters) to the Goa Motor Vehicles Act was made back in the year 2015 and since then various other types of meters are now available. We have made a representation to the Goa government and want that it be decided either way,” Adv Lawande told the Court.
The court, however, observed, that while the plea may appear innocuous at first glance, any relief granted may be seen as giving leeway to the taxi operators to not install meters and amount to the High Court sanctioning such a move.
The bench of Justices Sunil Deshmukh and M S Sonak also questioned why the All Goa Private Bus Owners Association was filing a petition on behalf of the taxi operators to which the advocate replied that some of the members also owned taxis and while some have already fitted meters there are others who should not face a restricted choice.
The court questioned the petitioners on what basis they could ask the court to direct the government to make available a range of meter options, much less expect that the government to decide on their memorandum concerning a policy change within two weeks.
The court finally asked the association if they sought to withdraw their petition following which Adv Lawande said he will take instructions and sought that the matter be heard on Wednesday.
