SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Lokayukta Goa has sought reply from Managing Director of Goa Tourism Director Corporation (GTDC) Nikhil Desai and Frota Miles promoter of GoaMiles on the submissions made by the petitioner. Petitioner Sudeep Tamhankar has alleged that there was undue favour in sanctioning permissions for operation to the taxi aggregator GoaMiles and further has also contended that the permissions are illegal.
On Thursday, Tamhankar made oral submissions before the Lokayukta Goa A H Joshi.
“As per guidelines an applicant to be an aggregator must have a fleet of taxies minimum 400, to be an eligible applicant.
‘Taxies’ means those having permit and permit holder, being a ‘badge holder’, having the badge to drive a public transport vehicle. Nikhil Desai has admitted that out of fleet of 455 taxies available with GoaMiles only 330 operators possessed the ‘badge’ and 32 taxi owners did not possess even the driving licence, obtained from the Regional Transport Office, Goa.”
Tamhankar submitted that Desai had granted permission to GoaMiles to be an aggregator while he was holding two posts namely Director of Transport and Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation.
He said that the issuing authority has deviated from guidelines and has favoured the GoaMiles.
The Lokayukta has sought the replies from GTDC, Nikhil Desai and also GoaMiles to ascertain whether any illegality was committed. The respondents have been directed to reply by way of written submission or affidavit on December 20.
