the goan I network
MARGAO
The Varca panchayat has decided to petition the government to protect the interests of the local self-employed
taxi operators, further deciding to team up with neighbouring panchayats to support their cause.
A couple of Varca-based hotels also extended their support to the local tourist taxi operators, but urged them to take up their grievances with the government for a solution. While saying that local taxi operators can continue to operate from outside their hotels, they, however, made it clear that they cannot stop the Goa Miles taxis from dropping or picking up guests from their hotels.
A joint meeting of the Varca panchayat, represented by Sarpanch Shalini Pereira and members, hoteliers operating from the village and the local tourist taxi operators was held at the Varca panchayat on Saturday with the objective of protecting the interests of the local taxi operators against the backdrop of recent arrests of the local operators by the Colva police under the charge of restraining Goa Miles taxis outside Zuri beach resort.
Tourist taxi operators told the hoteliers that they have no objection to Goa Miles taxis dropping customers at the hotels, but insisted that Goa Miles should not be allowed to pick up guests from the hotels. They pointed out that they have knocked the doors of the Varca panchayat to take up their cause with the government.
They also said they were ready to install meters based on gazette rates. The taxi operators said they have no objection if Goa Miles taxis ferry local customers, and wondered what they are supposed to do with their expensive vehicles purchased with loans.
Harshad Desai, representing Mahindra resort, told the tourist taxi operators that the hoteliers are ready to support them like they have been doing over the years, but raised doubts whether they can stop the Goa Miles taxis from picking up hotel guests.
He suggested to the tourist taxi operators to resolve their grievance since they are self-employed taxi operators eking out a living on the earnings of the business.
Another hotelier pointed out to the taxi operators that Goa Miles is an authorized taxi service and is a legal entity. He feared the government may target the hotels for not cooperating with Goa Miles. “We are all self-employed. Goa Miles come and park here and take our customers. Our business and livelihood is affected”, a driver said, while accusing the police for foisting false cases against the drivers.
Former Varca sarpanch, and present panch member Roland Fernandes accused the government for withdrawing badges and domicile for taxi drivers just to help Goa Miles. “Today, anyone and everyone is driving taxis. The rule concerning badges and domicile needs to be brought back to protect the interests of local drivers,” he said.
Reminding that tourism had come to Goa only because of support extended by the local populace, Roland said hoteliers had even attended village gram sabhas to promise jobs and taxi business to the local unemployed youth. “I was a seafarer, but had quit my job when opportunity arose to run a taxi. Today, Goa Miles threatens to displace self-employed Goans,” he said. Roland said he has been in touch with sarpanchas and members of neighbouring village panchayats of Benaulim, Cavelossim, Colva, Navelim seeking their support.
