PANAJI: The Goa government has set up a three-member committee to end a ten-month deadlock with taxi operators over the Digital Taxi Policy. The panel, made up of senior Transport Department officials, will review concerns raised by the unions and submit recommendations within eight days.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who spearheaded the dialogue, emphasized a collaborative transition toward modernization. “We have requested a step-by-step approach over the next eight days regarding the existing digital platforms, establishing proper uniform minimum rates along with safety, security, and transparency for tourists and taxi operators,” he said, confirming that the committee will address operators’ concerns about digital platforms, safety, and pricing.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho clarified that the current digital framework is still in draft stages and will not be forced on stakeholders. “The government is not going to force anything and does not mind if implementation is delayed,” he said.
Godinho added that the aim is to collect operational data and enforce uniform rates, which will benefit drivers and protect tourism. “Taxi operators are stakeholders and ambassadors of tourism, and any step taken should not harm the tourism industry. We do not want to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.”
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte further reinforced the need for technological adoption. “Our effort is to bring tourism stakeholders and all taxis onto one platform with a uniform rate while providing them support,” he said.
Emerging from the discussion, President of the All Goa Taxi Association Chetan Kamat expressed a nuanced position, stating that the unions are willing to accept digitization, but they remain opposed to the “app-based” model. “We have no problem with going digital, but if you want digital, then the rates must also be digital,” Kamat said. He insisted that private apps like Goa Miles be scrapped and fares displayed clearly from destination to destination on mobile devices. Operators also want digital boards showing rates, which they said the CM assured will be addressed.
Before the meeting as well, the taxi operators had voiced apprehension. Kamat said the association was taking a “wait and watch” approach. Taxi union leader Yogesh ‘Mogambo’ Govekar warned that traditional taxi businesses often suffer under app-based models. “For our traditional taxi business that has been running for years, we are ready to implement transparency, but we are not ready for apps,” he said, pointing to hardships already faced by operator families.
Operators also cautioned against one-size-fits-all policies that ignore Goa’s unique tourism and local context, warning that policies imposed without studying local conditions would fail to protect stakeholders.
