MAPUSA
In a major relief to the State taxi unions and their fight against the app-based taxi aggregator companies bid to enter Goa, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has absolved the North and South Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Associations and Caritas-Goa’s Centre for Responsible Tourism of any wrong doing to prevent the entry of taxi aggregators Ola and Uber in the State.
The CCI said the taxi unions in Goa were not involved in any anti-competitive conduct and therefore there was no case of contravention of the provisions of the Competition Act and directed the matter to be closed.
It may be recalled, the CCI had taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged abuse of position by the taxi unions in the State in preventing Ola and Uber from entering and operating in Goa and directed the Director General to investigate the role of the North and South Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association and the Centre for Responsible Tourism and their office-bearers.
After investigation the Director General in its report concluded that the taxi unions and CRT-Goa had indulged in anti-competitive practices and were liable to be penalized for the same.
The commission observed that despite categorical examination of the senior authorised representatives of both Ola and Uber, it was revealed that while Uber had never applied for any license in the state, Ola exited from Goa way back in 2013.
“Since, both companies did not share any details with respect to the efforts taken by them to enter Goa, it could not be conclusively inferred that the reason behind their non-entry in Goa was due to the pressure and undue threat of the taxi unions of Goa,” the CCI observed in its order.
The CCI also observed that the Director General had failed to examine the reasons for the strikes and protests held by the taxi unions which included increase in fees for permits by the State government, backdoor entry of Ola/Uber and installation of speed-governors in taxis.
The commission in its order noted that giving joint representation to the government or meeting with heads of political executive and raising grievances cannot be said to violate the provisions of Competition Act.
The CCI further noted that an app-based taxi operator GoaMiles already existed as per the policy of the Government of Goa, signifying that app-based taxi aggregators have been permitted to operate, on the lines of the business model of Ola and Uber.
“The CCI has upheld the legitimate right of the taxi unions of Goa to protest against the entry of Ola and Uber, the same being their Fundamental Right as held by the Supreme Court on numerous occasions,” said Ujwala Sharma, Supreme Court advocate, who represented the Goa taxi unions at the CCI while addressing the media in a hotel in Calangute.
“It was an attempt to muzzle the voice of Goans, who were protesting the entry of Ola/Uber in the state, as everybody knows what will be the eventual outcome of the entry of these players and the destructive impact it would have on local taxi operators,” he added.
Expressing relief over the CCI order, President of North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association Vasudev Arlekar said Ola and Uber had harassed the tourist taxi owners of Goa and filed cases against them in court.
“After the CCI order in our favour, we will renew our fight against the entry of Ola and Uber in Goa,” Arlekar said.
Fr Freddy Braganza of the Center for Responsible Tourism said it was their duty to help the taxi owners and Goans to fight against the corporates.
