Team Herald
PANJIM: Tourists across the State weren’t much inconvenienced, as arrangement made by the government to foil the strike called by taxi operators, kept the industry wheels moving without a pause.
While over 2000 taxi operators gathered at Azad Maidan in Panjim, the administration ensured that alternative transport facilities were available to take tourists to hotels and to the airport, railway stations and bus stands.
Adamant taxi operators, however, declared they would continue their strike on Saturday, even as Ministers and the Deputy Speaker failed to convince the protesting cabbies.
Around 15000 taxis across the State went off the road on Friday protesting the government decision to install speed governors and alleging harassment by police.
The strike led to some minor inconvenience to tourists at the airport, railway stations and bus stands but Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Travel and Tourism Asociation of Goa and Kadamba Transport Corporation managed to ferry tourists.
Other operators, like rent a bike, autorickshaw and motorcycle pilots, made a killing as there were reports of overcharging from the tourists at many spots.
The day’s protest concluded with a resolution to continue the strike on Saturday and taxi operators demanded that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar come and resolve the issue.
Town and Country Minister Vijai Sardesai, Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyekar, Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar and Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo met the striking taxi operators and attempted to resolve the issue but the protesters did not allow them to address the gathering. Sardesai, Palyekar and Salgaonkar were seen sitting along with the protesters in the evening.
Lobo who attempted to speak was stopped when he said the strike had inconvenienced the people. “We understand the difficulty being in the tourism industry, speed governor is a main issue and it has to be resolved but strike leads to inconvenience,” Lobo said, and was stopped by the crowd demanding action and no discussion.
Congress leaders, including leader of the opposition Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Ravi Naik, Yatish Naik, Agnelo Fernandes supported the taxi operators. Congress leaders said they will support the taxi union until their demands are met.
Kavlekar slammed the government for not resolving the issues of the taxi operators that has led to the operators coming on streets. “Government should resolve the issue, all 16 MLAs of Congress will support the protest till the demands are met. All demands are genuine and we will be there with them even to talk to the CM without politics,” he said.
Churchill Alemao, who supported the cause and tried to settle the issue, told the taxi operators that he would be talking to the Chief Minister.
Addressing the gathering, taxi union leader Laxman (Bappa) Korgaokar warned the government against even thinking of getting Ola or Uber taxi services in the State. “Taxi association warns all 40 MLAs of working against them in all constituencies to defeat whoever is instrumental in getting outside taxi services,” he said.
Union leaders also questioned why speed governors are necessary only for taxis and not for others vehicles. “We have decided to continue the strike on Saturday as our voice has not reached the authorities. We want the government to take a decision and withdraw the installation of speed governors,” Korgaonkar said.
All Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association, General Secretary Vinayak Nanoskar slammed GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral for ‘irresponsible statements’ threatening the taxi operators. “Cabral doesn’t know the taxi business as he doesn’t have taxi operators in his constituency. He should stop making such statements and threats of getting Ola and Uber taxi service in Goa,” he said.
The All Goa Private Bus Owners Association has hinted at joining the protest against speed governors. Association general secretary Sudip Tamankar said that the decision on participate with taxi operators on strike will be taken by Saturday evening. “We are already supporting the cause of taxi operators, but to call for a strike and participate with them will be decided only after talking to all the members of association,” he said.
