Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar in a meeting with cabbies.
Photo Credits: The Goan
VASCO
Tourist taxi operators from across Goa met Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar and Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar on Thursday to voice their opposition to the draft guidelines proposed for taxi aggregators.
Both MLAs assured the operators of their full support and promised to raise their concerns with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
The delegation first met Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar in the morning, followed by a meeting with Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar at Sada in the afternoon.
The operators expressed concern that the implementation of these guidelines would severely impact their livelihoods and urged the MLAs to support their stand.
“There are a lot of issues faced by taxi operators and they are meeting all the MLAs. They placed their issues before me and we have also requested Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to support these Goan taxi operators engaged in this traditional business,” said Salkar.
He added, “We have requested the CM to safeguard their business or find a solution that benefits tourists while allowing taxi operators to remain in business. The operators have demanded the formation of a committee that includes their representatives, which is a fair demand. We are hopeful that the CM will consider their demands and come up with an amicable solution.”
Calling the taxi operators the ambassadors of Goan tourism, Salkar said, “They are the first point of contact for tourists and have safeguarded our tourism industry for years. The Government must try and find a win-win solution.”
Later, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar also met the group and echoed similar sentiments.
“I have heard the grievances of the taxi operators. The government has sought public opinion on the draft taxi aggregator guidelines, but this move has upset the operators. I felt bad listening to their issues, because taxi is one of the few businesses still in the hands of Goans,” Amonkar said.
He added, “Some of these operators are aged and may never get another job. Their families are fully dependent on the taxi business. There is a meeting planned with the chief minister and around seven MLAs from the coastal belt to discuss this issue. I believe we must stand by the taxi operators, and I am hopeful that the Government led by Pramod Sawant will take the right decision.”
