PERNEM: There were heated clashes between Goa Miles and Local Taxi operators at Pernem, on Thursday. Tension was running high as private taxi operators allegedly beat up Goa Miles driver outside Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar’s house.
The fight was over the almost 50% rates charged by Goa Miles according to Taxi operators and Goa Miles was given a counter at Mopa airport when they should be functioning through their app. The fight ended up at the door steps of Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar who compromised the matter. He said, the rates should be uniform. Both Taxi operators and Pernem MLA admitted that local Pednekars are also employed by Goa Miles.
One tourist taxi operator alleged that a government servant was operating as a Goa Miles driver. “He should be immediately suspended or terminated by his department. He is representing Goa Miles in uniform. We will give a complaint to the department and see what action the government takes on them,” he said.
“Local have purchased taxis by taking loans. Goa Miles is operating at half the rate. So the MLA was angry. We are also his workers. So naturally he will feel bad,” another tourist taxi operator said.
When questioned by media that even Goa Miles drivers were local Goans and Pednekars they said, “They are locals but they charge between Rs 600 and Rs 700. They have spoilt the business. They are Pednekars, we support Pednekars. Our demand is to have equal rates. They charge Rs 1000 to go to Calangute. The operators from Calangute are shouting that Pednekars are spoiling the business.”
“When there is a notified taxi stand such as blue cab at Mopa, app based taxis cannot function. You can ask the RTO. Goa Miles has the blessings of politicians, what can we do?” they asked.
Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar when questioned by media on the scuffle said, “The local taxi operators should be given justice. They have purchased vehicles on loan to support their families. There should have been an agreement with GMR initially, that only local drivers and taxis would be used. Therefore they are suffering today. Goa Miles cannot take a counter here ( at Mopa). They have to function on the app. They are given counter at Mopa and their rates are the lowest. Therefore the tourist taxi operators are suffering. So I have demanded that all the rates should be equal.”