The arrest ( and release) of two honchos of the taxi union in Mormugao and the filing of chapter cases against others, was the first instance when it appears that some action has been initiated by the government against what the Chief Minister has called “dadagiri” of the taxi drivers.
But one arrest and immediate nail will be too little, too late, and hardly effective, if this is mere lip service to placate the anger of Goa’s tourism sector at the high-handedness and false entitlement of the taxi lobby, protected clearly, undoubtedly, and extensively by Goa’s politicians.
Sankalp Amonkar, the defector MLA from Mormugao has chosen to support the very self-entitled taxi lobby, while “apologising” to the foreign tourists. But apologies will not redeem the situation, it will happen only when this lobby loses undue and unfortunate support they receive from elected politicians of every nature.
In this unsavoury incident, the Mormugao MLA, along with some of the authorities seem to suggest that the taxi lobby is a legitimate party in the decision-making of cruise operators and their shore agents and needs to be consulted and their permission taken before “allowing” coaches to into the Mormugao Port Authority. This is shameful.
The MLA appears to represent the taxi union
The narrative goes even more skewed when you hear the words of the MLA reportedly saying, “I can refute these allegations against taxi operators that they ask for money, harass and hold passengers to ransom.” He challenged tour operators to show any evidence to prove their allegations.
On what basis is the MLA giving this certificate when there is an entire universe of victims of harassment by taxi drivers in Goa?
He then talks of a “procedure” where “the taxi union who is informed in advance allows all coaches and buses to move into the port and take passengers.”
Sankalp Amonkar, MLA reportedly said, “There was a miscommunication by tour operators who did not inform the police or the taxi union of the booking taken from the ship arriving with 80 passengers.”
Let’s deal with the first charge of the tour operator not informing the police. The MLA is either not aware or prefers to be in the dark. Le Passage, the shore agents of the ship Ocean Odyssey, in a letter dated December 10, to the PI Mormugao police station clearly informed of the arrival of the ship at the Mormugao breakwater berth on December 14. The letter also stated, “The number of passengers on the cruise ship is approximately 350. We will be using four coaches for shore excursions for 80 guests arriving on the ship.”
The letter could not have been clearer as it mentioned, “We would request you to kindly provide us assistance for a smooth operation if the cruise ship arriving to Goa at 12.00 hrs and departing at 18.00 hours.”
Where is the miscommunication here?
Who are the taxi operators to “allow” buses and coaches to move into the port?
Goans don’t seem to be aware of which authority has outlined this procedure and who has agreed to this. The tone of the statement and use of the word “allow” is serious. It gives the impression that the taxi operators are a superior body that decides who will operate and who will not. Words like ‘allow’ are normally used by the “mafia” which clearly decides what should be allowed in their territory or not, or by elected representatives and authorised institutions, with its set of rules and procedure.
The taxi operators have been referred to, whether rightly or wrongly, as the “taxi mafia”, on social media and among various tourism stakeholders. But if they are not the mafia, nor do they have any elected or institutional powers, then shouldn’t the professional tour operators, cruise liners, tourists, and common Goans know, from where the taxi lobby derives the authority to “allow” or not allow legitimate logistical operations to get international tourists transported for sightseeing?
Any enterprise involving the management, transport, and experience delivery of tourists is a professional and legally bound contract
While there are many who arrive in India on their own, about 50% of the foreign footfalls are regulated operations. They work on a network of contracts with hotels for rooms, transport operators, excursion agents, and other vendors. Often tourists pre-pay for the entire tour where they expect smooth service without hindrances. If local taxi operators want to be a part of this, they must submit themselves to etched contracts, fixed rates, and the willingness to work with other vendors and not be at war with them.
The shocking experiences of tourists in their run-ins with taxi operators have actually made foreign tour operators in other countries advise people there not to travel to Goa. Herald is informed of at least two clear instances in Europe where potential travellers to Goa were asked to go to Sri Lanka or Bali instead.
A cancerous growth cannot be treated with Vitamin C
Let’s now come to the Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho. On the third day after the incident, after facing a massive backlash from all tourism stakeholders, he said that permits for those taxi operators involved in the unsavoury incident at the Mormugao Ports on December 14 would be cancelled.
But hasn’t the growth of the taxi lobby in the taluka, been blessed by powerful politicians like him over years? The same vote banks he nurtured have now come back to cause such embarrassment to Goa, forcing the minister to step in. But no politician can wash their hands off the growth of the unregulated and free for all taxi lobby, used very effectively by Ministers and MLAs. For years they have refused to follow High Court directions on the installation of meters, and have threatened to drive app-based taxi services away, because of this Goa is one of the very few Indian states where app-based taxis aren’t there, where it is needed the most. Will the cancellation of a few permits treat a serious disease? It’s like treating cancer with Vitamin C.
Why cancel a few permits? Suspend all till functioning digital meters are not installed
What is needed is the immediate implementation of app-based taxis. All permits of taxi operators till digital meters are installed should be suspended. Taxi fares should be decided by the government in consultation with various stakeholders and immediate police action where complaints of violence intimidation and threats are there is needed, to show that dadagiri really won’t be tolerated.
The business of tourism is a professional one that involves agreements and contracts. There is no scope for informal ad hoc stakeholders- taxi lobby- to dictate terms
For far too long taxi operators in Goa have existed in a parallel, politically backed universe, which follows no rules and refuses to be regulated. Yet the hard-working tourism stakeholders wonder why the taxi lobby expects to get special, non-regulated treatment where everyone suffers, while they get what they want, namely exorbitant and unfair rates that make the cost of Goan holidays go through the roof. At the same time, locals are without a proper regulated taxi service.
The downfall of tourism and the dadagiri of the taxi lobby is a failure of the State, which the government of PM Modi will not appreciate
The double-engine government expects certain stands of governance, based on the fundamental foundation of the rule of law. For years taxi unions and taxi operators, bred and nourished by politicians have run a parallel transport network where the state of Goa has not been able to control or enforce the rule of law. It has gone so out of control that Goa’s and India’s image at home and abroad is getting impacted and is threatening to cause permanent damage to Goa’s tourism.
This soft state cannot hold pride of place among others in the country if it allows itself to be so weak and helpless against a group that is an anti-thesis of good tourism practices.