TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: The North Goa Rent-a-Cab Association has demanded legalization of their rent-a-car services in the coastal belt of North Goa on lines with South Goa rent-a-car services.
The Association members called on Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar and submitted a representation pleading for legalization of their rent-a-car services based on South Goa rent-a-car services and All India Rent-a-Car services prevailing in five other states.
The members explained to the MLAs the difficulties being faced by them in view of police drive on private rent-a-car services. They also briefed the MLAs of their existing trade for last several years which has been a sort of self-employment for survival and hoped that the State government will consider their request in the interest of all including tourists visiting Goa.
When contacted, MLA Lobo said the locals involved in private rent-a-car services called on him and gave a representation urging to take up their cause for legalization of private rent-a-car services which they have been carrying out for last several years.
“The locals opined that the State government will also generate revenue from legalization of their business under North Goa Association through permit fees, etc,” he said.
“The members and locals also informed that they have formed the Association to enable the government to grant them permission on the lines of South Goa Association for rent-a-cars. I will take up the matter with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar for an amicable solution in consultation with the North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association,” assured Lobo.
North Goa Association Vice President Nitesh Chodankar said they called on Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo to seek their support and co-operation for legalization of rent-a-car services in the coastal belt of North Goa.
“Crackdown by the police is having a negative impact on tourism, as tourists are being needlessly detained at police stations for availing rent-a-car services. In South Goa, a company has been given the permit for rent-a-car services, so similar permit should also be given for our newly formed North Goa Rent-a-Cab Association as it will help us Goans to create self-employment,” said Chodankar.
“It will also generate revenue to the State exchequer through fees. In five other states, we have All India Zoom Car (self-drive) services, so we request the State government to consider our case sympathetically,” urged Chodankar.
