Tourist taxi operators from Varca and Salcete belt along with South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes putting up united front to protect the interest of the local operators.
MARGAO
Tourist taxi operators from Varca and the Salcete coastal belt have opposed a star-category resort’s plans to purchase cars and coaches to ferry its guests, fearing the move would deprive self-employed locals of their business and livelihood. They threatened to take to the streets if the management went ahead with the plan.
South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes backed the operators, describing them as brand ambassadors of Goa’s tourism industry. He also warned ministers, hoteliers and others against branding local taxi operators as ‘mafias’, saying such labelling would no longer be tolerated.
The operators, accompanied by Varca Sarpanch Flavia Barretto, Benaulim Zilla Panchayat member Luiza Rodrigues, Congress block president Keith Gracias, Warren Alemao and other Congress leaders, met at Varca to discuss the issue. The MP was invited following concerns over the resort’s reported plans to purchase additional vehicles, over and above those already acquired.
Fernandes reminded the resort management that local taxi operators had contributed immensely to the hospitality industry by ferrying its guests over the years. “The resort cannot take steps that displace local tourist taxi operators who depend on this business to earn their livelihood and support their families. The management should stop purchasing vehicles and allow self-employed locals to continue operating in this sector,” he said.
Fernandes said a coordinated effort would be launched to protect the operators’ interests. He added that he had raised issues affecting taxi operators in Parliament on three occasions and would now take up their concerns collectively.
Operator representative Savio Goes said the meeting was convened over the resort’s reported plans to purchase coaches and taxis, which could adversely affect local operators.
“The resort is already operating restaurants, spas and other facilities. We request the management not to interfere in the taxi business, which is the livelihood of self-employed locals,” he said.
Goes warned that operators, along with the people of Goa, would take to the streets if necessary. Barretto, Rodrigues and Warren Alemao assured them of their support.
