MARGAO
Facing flak for his decision to issue character certificate which helped a Laamani to obtain a badge to ply taxi, Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao on Friday agreed to immediately withdraw the same and promised to lead a delegation to the Transport Director to get the badge withdrawn.
The Benaulim MLA made his presence felt outside the Benaulim panchayat ghar, where the local body was due to meet to discuss the sensitive issue of Laamanis making forays into the tourist taxi business.
When confronted by the tourist taxi drivers how he had issued the character certificate, Churchill explained that he had issued it after being approached by a former ward member.
“This character certificate was issued by me in 2017 when I was approached by former panch member Peter. We normally issue such certificates if a citizen of India has a domicile in the state for over 10 years,” Churchill pointed out.
He, however, hastened to add that he will immediately withdraw the certificate if the tourist taxi drivers write to him stating that Somava Vasappa Malagimani does not have a good record.
While saying that he is not in favour of Laamanis doing business in the village, the Benaulim MLA also told the taxi operators that he would accompany them to the Transport Director to get the taxi badge issued to Vasappa withdrawn immediately.
