MAPUSA
Amidst raging debate over the plan to levy a fare for ferrying of two-wheelers on ferry boats, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said the government should desist from charging the fee as it will hurt the common man.
Lobo also said that the free ferry service was a unique service subsidised by the government and it should continue that way.
“The plan to introduce the fare for two-wheelers is not an exorbitant charge but all the same for the common man who uses the ferry daily it will be a cause for concern. The government should not introduce the plan but instead continue with the old system,” said Lobo, who is probably the first BJP MLA to speak his mind on the issue.
River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai recently announced the plan to levy a fare for ferrying two-wheelers, which were so far not charged, on ferry boats and to hike the existing charges for four-wheelers. The government has also notified the new rates along the 18 ferry routes across the State.
Lobo said he will talk to the RND Minister and even the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant requesting them to hold back the decision. “The RND Minister Subhash Phal Dessai is a very good person and dynamic. I will talk to him. I will also talk to the CM. This ferry service is unique. Some people use the ferry service three to four times a day. It should be free,” he said.
There is growing angst against the government's decision to levy and hike the ferry rates, especially among people from the islands of Divar, Chorao and St Estevam. The panchayats of Divar, Sao Mathias and Goltim-Navelim have also passed resolutions against the ferry fees and urged the government to roll back the decision.
