The recent spat between the taxi owners association and the rent a cab association is very unfortunate. Whereas the taxi owners apprehensions are uncalled for and their push for banning the rent a cab business is despicable the rent a cab business is a life line for a number of unemployed youths in Goa.
One also needs to understand and comprehend that the scheme for rent a cab was notified by the central government way back in 1989 and the State RTO department is the licensing authority. So is the demand for ban legally justified? And how can the transport department or the state government supersede the authority of the central government? Further what is intriguing is the fact that permits for rent a cab have already been issued in South Goa and how can the RTO department adopt different standards For North Goa.
It is imperative that the trade is regulated and tailored properly but not at the cost of the Goan youth and certainly not by threatening and depriving them of their fundamental right to livelihood. The State Government, especially the transport department needs to understand their powers and their domain of functioning.
The exorbitant rates slapped by some taxi owners on tourists is indeed reprehensible. Such incidents demean and defame Goa as tourist destination. Another aspect is the service which rent a cab provide to the tourists. Such service promotes tourism and also augments allied tourism related activities. Taxi association and rent a cab should find an amicable solution to this standoff in the larger interest of tourism and the “tourist” should the center of concern for all.
