13 Apr 2021  |   06:22am IST

CM Sawant warns of action against cabbies taking law in their hands

Assures to resolve all issues of taxi operators and asks them to have patience
CM Sawant warns of action against cabbies taking law in their hands

Team Herald

PANJIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Monday warned to take action against the taxi operators who take the law in their own hands while assuring to resolve their issues.

The warning was issued following allegations by GoaMiles that ten of their vehicles were attacked and damaged by unknown miscreants in the last 48 hours. GoaMiles in their complaint have suspected tourist taxi operators of the attack. 

Speaking to media persons, Sawant said that tourist taxi operators will have to show some patience as the government will resolve all their issues. “No one can take law in their hands. Action will be taken against those who take law in their hands,” he said. 

The Chief Minister said that Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho is looking into the demands put forth by the taxi operators. “Their issue would be resolved,” he reiterated.

The tourist taxi operators have been on strike for a week demanding scrapping of GoaMiles – the app-based taxi service.

The Transport Minister has already turned down their demand, while stating that GoaMiles will not be allowed to operate a counter at the Dabolim international airport. 

On Monday, Ports Minister Michael Lobo called on the Chief Minister seeking his immediate intervention in the tourist taxi issue. He pointed out that tourists, who are holidaying in Goa, are facing severe hardship due to the taxi strike.

Emerging from the meeting, Lobo said the demand of tourist taxi operators is long pending and needs to be settled. He said that the matter was initially handled by Tourism Department but now it has been brought under the ambit of Transport Department.

“If government removes GoaMiles counter from the Airport, half of the issue gets resolved. The Chief Minister and the Transport Minister will have to take a decision as early as possible,” he said.

Lobo also appealed to the tourist taxi operators to install digital meters as made mandatory by the High Court. “Taxi operators will have to install it. They have no other option. You have to abide by the law,” he said. 


IDhar UDHAR

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