Panaji: As hundreds of taxi operators from Pernem & other parts of the State continued their 'chakka jam' protest on Friday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the entire movement is politically motivated and all the demands of taxi operators are already resolved.
The taxi operators have been protesting since Thursday outside the Pernem deputy collector’s office demanding that parking fees be reduced from Rs 200 to Rs 80, a free tourist taxi counter for local operators, elimination of tolls on the Link Road, and the removal of the GoaMiles app-based aggregator counter at Manohar International Airport, Mopa.
The operators have vowed to continue their protest until the Chief Minister meets them. Sawant was supposed to meet the agitating taxi operators today at 12.00pm.
Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Sawant said. "My government has consistently addressed the issues of taxi operators, and I take pride in that. After our assembly meetings, we all agreed that taxi operators should adopt app-based aggregators or develop their own apps".
" The current agitation is purely politically motivated and aimed at targeting me for political gain," he said.
He mentioned that the government has reduced parking fees from Rs. 200 to Rs. 80, extended parking times, and provided blue cabs and stands as requested by the operators.
Sawant also said that the current protest is politically motivated and that all MLAs support the introduction of app-based taxi meters.
The Chief Minister urged taxi operators to allow GoaMiles app-based taxi service to operate freely, and suggested that multiple apps could be introduced if needed. He emphasized the importance of adapting to technology to sustain the tourism sector and benefit all Goans.
Bappa Korgaonkar, a Pernem taxi operator, has criticized the Chief Minister for prioritizing election events and house demolitions in Assagao over the issues affecting the 42,000 taxi drivers in the state. "If CM Dr. Pramod Sawant can visit Assagao for a house demolition, he should also address the problems of taxi drivers," Korgaonkar said.
Tourism industry leaders, including Jack Sukhija, President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), and Nilesh Shah of TTAG, have supported the need for app-based taxis. They argue that technology is crucial not only for tourism but also for local residents.
