RGP Chief Manoj Parab and leader Rohan Kalangutkar addresses reporters in Panaji on Saturday. Captured by : Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
The Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) has demanded the withdrawal of plans by Konkan Railway Corporation (KRC) to enter the rent-a-bike business at five of its stations in the State.
Addressing reporters in Panaji on Saturday, RGP Chief Manoj Parab informed that the move would severely affect those in the rent-a-bike and rent-a-car business.
"The KRC will hand over the operations of rent-a-bike to a corporate company which will slowly enter the rent-a-car business," Parab stated and informed that it is nothing but a ploy to finish the business of the locals.
"Already Goa Miles has eaten into the taxi business and KRC entering the rent-a-bike business will also further make a dent in the taxi business as the taximen operating at the five railway stations in the State will hardly get any business," he added.
Parab demanded that the KRC immediately withdraw the tender for the operation of the rent-a-bike, failing which the affected Goans would be forced to hit the streets.
"The RGP will write to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and urge him to intervene in the matter and get the tender withdrawn," he said.
"We will also write to the KRC highlighting the ill effects the move would have on the business of the Goan and demand that they withdraw the tender," Parab said while warning that failure to do so will have severe repercussions.
Speaking on the occasion, RGP leader and taxi owner Rohan Kalangutkar highlighted the plight of taximen and explained how the rent-a-bike business will make further dents into their business.
"Already, we are struggling to survive and if KRC is allowed to venture into the rent-a-bike business then the taxi business will be finished," Kalangutkar stated.
He then demanded immediate withdrawal of the proposal and warned that the taximen would chalk out future course of action if KRC fails to comply.
