PANAJI
Bowing to mounting political pressure, the State government has announced to withdraw the notification on ferry fare hike and charges fixed for two-wheeler riders for the first time. The new charges were set to come in force from November 16.
Speaking to The Goan, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the decision has been taken to withdraw the notification at the earliest and accordingly the directions have been issued to the River Navigation department to initiate the process.
“We have decided to withdraw the notification. The department is asked to issue appropriate orders in this regard,” Sawant said.
The November 3 notification to charge two-wheeler riders as well as increased fare for four-wheelers witnessed massive criticism from ruling as well as Opposition MLAs. The opposition parties on Sunday even held protest demanding withdrawal of the notification.
As per the new rates, the two-wheelers had to pay Rs 10 per trip while there would be monthly passes available for unlimited trips at Rs 150. For three-wheeler and four-wheeler vehicle the charges were Rs 40 per trip. Monthly passes for unlimited trips would be available at Rs 600.
The heavy motor vehicles or heavy passenger vehicle with driver with total weight less than ten tonnes had to pay Rs 400 per trip while for monthly pass it was Rs 6,000.
Meanwhile, the Minister for River Navigation Subhash Faldesai justified his department's decision stating that the proposal was aimed to increase the revenue. “The Chief Minister had sought clarification from me to which I had explained to him that it is in the interest of the State and to improve the ferry service. I told CM if he thinks that the decision is not in the interest of the people, he can withdraw it,” he said.
The Minister explained that the department currently generates only Rs 70 lakh revenue from the ferry service while the total expenditure is to the tune of Rs 45-50 lakhs. “We were getting proposals from MLAs to increase the fleet and for that purpose we need to place on record a revenue model. Our aim was to generate Rs 5 cr revenue annually,” he said.
