the goan I network
MARGAO
Ahead of the scheduled meeting with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday evening, the South Goa Tourist Taxi Association on Tuesday demanded that the government fulfill its charter of demands before the government force them to install metres in their vehicles.
They also charged successive governments for only paying lip service to their long pending demand.
While saying that Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo had taken up their cause with the government, the tourist taxi operators demanded that MLAs from the coastal belt rally behind them and get their grievances resolved.
Addressing the media at Benaulim on Tuesday evening, Association general secretary Roque Fernandes said the tourist taxi operators had time and again offered to install the meters in their vehicles but on condition that the government resolve their long pending issues. "We had told the present and past Chief Ministers about our willingness to install the meters, but we also wanted the government to resolve our grievances, but in vain," Roque said.
Outlining their charter of demands submitted to the government, Roque pointed out that the government authorities should stop the 8,000 illegal tourist taxi operators in the case. "The Russian reps are doing business in the State, but the authorities turn a blind eye. Tour operators charge the tourists in dollars, but we are blamed for overcharging. We had requested the government to install tariff cards at all tourist places, but there's no response till date," he said.
The tourist taxi operators pointed out that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had promised in the past to resolve their grievances, but lamented that not a single demand has been resolved till date. "They want us to install speed governors. But, information under the RTI revealed that the tourist taxis have not been involved in any major accident anywhere in the State," Roque said.
They pointed out the future course of action will be chalked out after the meeting with the Chief Minister on Wednesday evening.
