the goan I network
VASCO
Assuring full support to local taxi operators who have been agitating against the GoaMiles app-based taxi service, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco has requested the State government to work out a positive solution to safeguard local interest and livelihood of taximen.
He was addressing a joint meeting of several taxi unions and other rent-a-car and rent-a-bike associations at Tourist hall in Vasco on Monday evening.
Taxi operators from across Goa have urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and newly appointed Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho to have talks with taxi operators on the taxi business.
The Curtorim MLA said he had supported the cause of local taxi drivers in the Assembly and would stand by them outside the Assembly as well.
“I am very clear that I’m here to protect the interest of my fellow Goans, because they have been doing business for so many years now. Whatever may be the issues and people may call them mafia, but the issues can be settled.”
“Since the last several years, the government has not offered taxi operators any solutions. I have told all legislators to protect the interest of Goenkars.”
“I don’t believe in violence and we will all sit together and discuss the next course of action. When I am around, there will be no nonsense but if the government does not act, we will have to take a harsh step. Goan taxi drivers have never troubled anyone and will never trouble anyone in the future,” said Lourenco.
All Goa Rent a bike and Car Association President Chetan Kamat demanded the ouster of Transport Director Nikhil Desai.
“We have appealed to the CM to scrap GoaMiles taxi app-based service. We have not taken any decision as yet and we have only united various taxi and other unions on one platform and have been conducting corner meetings. We will take a final call very soon,” said Kamat.
All Goa Yellow Black Taxi Union President Sunil Naik feared that a rent-a-cab counter at Dabolim Airport would finish the business of local taxi operators.
“All legislators must call three members of each taxi union and have a joint meeting before they can support us in scrapping GoaMiles and this counter at the Airport,” said Naik.
A taxi operator, Bappa Korgaonkar, said local taxi owners are self-employed and their families are dependent on this business.
