Team Herald
PANJIM: The Transport Department was abuzz with enquiries about digital meters, on day one of the implementation on Thursday. However, no taxi operator has so far shown interest to install the device.
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On Thursday morning, a delegation of taxi operators approached the department seeking postponement of its order directing commencement of the fitment of digital fare meters from May 20.
The fitment of meters with automotive tracking device-emergency system-printer is being carried out at four locations at Bordem in Bicholim, Merces, Navelim and Dabolim. Transport Director Rajan Satardekar declined to heed to the request citing directions of the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
“The installation of digital meters is taken up as per the order of the High Court. The department does not have the discretion to stop the installation,” he said on being contacted by Herald for reaction on the fresh appeal by the taxi operators.
The taxi lobby pointed out to loss of business owing to the ongoing curfew and financial crunch to pay for fare meters. The transport official told the aggrieved delegation that they are free to approach the court for relief if any they require in this matter.
The High Court, on May 6 had ordered implementing the fitment of taxi meters within 15 days of its order.
As per the government order on Tuesday, each taxi operator will have to pay Rs 11,234 (including one-year free maintenance and online monitoring charges and GST) for the device and schedule fitment of the meters by June 30 failing which their permits will be cancelled.
In fact two groups from South Goa and North Goa taxi associations had visited the department on Wednesday-Thursday with their grievances which were heard by the transport officials. The North Goa taxi group demanded to see the type of digital meters disbursed to them, to which the concerned officer conveyed to the delegation that all information pertaining to the meters including its operations will be provided.
