MARGAO: NCP Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao on Monday called upon the hoteliers to accord priority to local taxi owners at the respective hotels failing which he threatened to decide the future course of action against them.
Several taxi owners and representatives of hotels in Benaulim constituency attended the meeting at Varca.
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The taxi owners highlighted their plight with regards to loss in business due to tour operators and GoaMiles.
Alemao said the issue pertaining to the taxi and GoaMiles can be resolved; however hoteliers need to play a major role.
“I request the hoteliers to accord priority to the local taxi owners. They should provide a counter in the hotel complex for the local taxi union to deal with the tourists”, he said.
The MLA said during the initial stages only hoteliers should inform the tourists or the customers about the taxi service provided by the local taxi owners and should not allow the tour operators or the private agencies like Goa Miles to deal with tourists.
“The hoteliers have sought a week’s time. One thing is for sure that we will decide on the future course of action to deal with the issue, if hoteliers fail to respond positively”, Churchill said after the meeting.
He voiced his strong objection to GoaMiles and urged the government to show more concern to Goans than to the agencies run by outsiders.
Few taxi owners from Varca, Colva and Cavelossim shared their views on the issue and urged the concerned authorities, especially the government to take decisions favouring local taxi operators.
One of them requested the government to decide the rate taking into consideration the hike in fuel prices.
