MARGAO
Varca tourist taxi operators have cried foul over the allegations levelled by a taxi operator from Margao that they have extorted Rs 5,000 from them, demanding that the police check the CCTV cameras of the hotel to unearth the true facts.
They further pointed out that they are not against Goa Miles, but will not allow a group of taxi operators from Margao collecting hotel guests from Varca.
In fact, tourist taxi operator from Fatrade, Jose Afonso, a former Varca Sarpanch has said he will stop his tourist taxi business if taxi operators and the police prove that the Varca tourist taxi operators have extorted any money from them. They demanded to know why Margao taxi drivers have not uploaded the video to support their claim of extortion.
Jose accused the hotel management behind the incident between the local tourist taxi operators and the taxi drivers from Margao. Narrating the sequence of events, Jose said five taxis from Margao had come to the hotel and after questioning claimed they have come to collect the guests. “Where is the question of extortion. This is a false allegation. Let them prove the allegation and I will withdraw from my taxi business and sit at home”, he said.
Reminding that the hotels along the beach side have all come up on handing out promise to provide employment opportunities to the locals, Jose said the hotels would not have come if the locals and the panchayat did not extend their cooperation. “The hotel management is hand in gloves with the outside taxi operators. How are the locals supposed to eke a living if outside taxis take the business”, he questioned, clarifying that the local taxi operators are not mafia as claimed by the media.
