the goan I network
VASCO
In a bid to discourage non-Goans from operating taxis in the State, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Wednesday announced the reintroduction of the badge system for taxi drivers operating in Goa, but said the applicants would need to have 15-yr domicile status and a police clearance.
Addressing media persons in Vasco, Godinho said taxi drivers previously applying for a driver’s badge had also needed 15-year domicile and police clearance, thereby ensuring that the business would remain with Goans.
“However, the rules were relaxed and anyone started becoming a taxi driver without any police clearance. We have now superseded the earlier circular and issued a fresh circular stating that anyone operating taxis in Goa would require a badge and go through procedures practiced earlier,” said Godinho.
“The consequences of this circular means that the taxi business will finally remain with Goans and this was a demand in my constituency and other parts of Goa.”
“Opinion was sought from the advocate general and he said the state is fully within its right, as the Supreme Court did not infringe upon the rights of the State government to lay down certain conditions and accordingly, Rule 4 (1 to 9) of MV Act where it was mandated to have a badge and police clearance for taxi drivers,” said Godinho.
The minister said that domicile status and police clearance were needed to ensure better safety and services among taxi operators. “Because we were liberal, people from other states arrived and began operating taxis. Some of them did not know the local topography and language, leading to poor quality of taxi services. There were also instances of fights, abuses and misbehaviour, threatening the safety of passengers as well,” said Godinho.
“Police also informed us that several taxi drivers from other states had a criminal background, but had arrived in Goa to become taxi drivers overnight.” “There have been some people who have become taxi drivers during the relaxation of badge conditions and now with the reintroduction of badge system for taxi drivers, they will now have to compulsorily apply for a badge and get a police clearance.”
“But since they have already been taxi drivers, we will prescribe a procedure for such people, which will be intimated in one week, giving them sufficient time to get the badge and police clearance,” said Godinho.
