The agitation of Goa’s tourist taxi operators was called off on Sunday after three days of stir. Even as it ended, the protest caused high political drama.
Earlier this evening, Deputy speaker Michael Lobo led a delegation of taxi operators to the Chief Minister, urging the CM to file governments say before the Supreme Court regarding speed governors and digital meters. Lobo informed the taxi operators gathered at Azad Maidan that Chief minister had agreed to their demands. Further on, Lobo stated that he will resign from his position in the assembly if taxi operators issue is not resolved. Upon being asked to submit a written assurance of the same however, Lobo said in writing that he will work to solve the issue and will shoulder the responsibility of the fallout. The letter did not outwardly say that Mr Lobo would resign. Following Mr Lobo’s assurance, taxi operators called off their agitation till 24 January. The protests will resume if the government fails to keep its word, taxi operators said.
Shortly after the events at Azad Maidan, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar laid out the government's stand. The government has hinted that it will move in to regulate the taxi business in Goa like never before. GTDC has been directed to create an app for taxi services in Goa. Similarly, Kadamba will also start special buses from airport. The number of black-yellow taxis on the airport will also be increased, and the new counters for these taxis will be operated by the GTDC, the Chief Minister stated.
Addressing the issue of speed governors, Parrikar said that the government can only grant some more time to the taxi operators. “In case enough speed governors are not available, the state has some power to exempt some modes of transport from the same till the time when enough speed governors are available at competitive prices” Parrikar said. The Chief Minister added that digital meters will be implemented in four to six months.
