PANAJI
Taxi operators in the State have decided to stage a protest march across the State from October 2 to draw attention to the issue of digital meters.
“Initially, we will start the Padayatra from Panaji to Patradevi and then we will decide about South Goa,” said a spokesperson for the All Goa Taxi Owners Association Sudip Tamhankar at a news conference in Panaji.
“Despite opposition from taxi operators, the State government is forcing taxi operators to fix taxi meters, thereby burdening the state exchequer to the tune of Rs 34 crore. Our demand is that the government should offer an app-based system to taxi operators rather than forcibly putting a costly digital meter system,” he added.
According to Tamhankar, the protest rally start from Panaji and it will cover several places, before culminating in Patradevi.
“The protest march will continue for many days and a public meeting will be convened at every taxi stand in the area,” he said.
Recently, giving huge relief to aggrieved taxi operators, the government had decided to provide digital taxi meters free of cost and made driving badge and 15-year domicile mandatory for all taxi drivers.
