Some drastic action it seems will be taken to curtail the
increasing vehicular population. Last week Mauvin Godinho, Minister of
Transport, revealed the government was considering a move to stop issuing
permits for white tourist taxis following a taxi audit. The directorate of
transport had stopped issuing permits for new two wheeler vehicle registrations
that operated under rent –a-bike or motorcycle taxis. The minister had then
stated that this policy of issuing permits could not continue because this had
caused parking problems in urban as well as village areas.
This generated heated reactions from
members of the taxi and hospitality industry. Hanuman is a pilot who has a four
wheeler license for several years. He said the business was pretty bad and the
government should have talked to people in the business before taking the step.
He said the government should have taken the decision to stop issuing licenses
to rent –a-bikes .He said “People coming to Goa should use the services of
pilots or the drivers. Why give them the option of hiring bikes or cars and
driving it themselves? That problem could have been stopped. It would have
certainly helped us in the business. Now more people in the business will be
affected”. Manuel Fernandes who has a bike and four wheeler license and is a
pilot when he is not working in a company in Mapusa said the move would affect
his son who was contemplating taking a four wheeler license after completing
his education as a backup. He said it would make sense because it was difficult
to get a good paying job in this economy. He said their financial condition was
not very good and everyone had to work to ensure they had food on the table. He
hoped the government would rethink its plans.
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For Nilesh Shah, President of TTAG the decision by the
government which was in the offing was something that could be taken only after
a very intensive audit was conducted. He said “The tourists coming to Goa have
a tough time getting suitable cheap transport. The government had promised to
place 130 coaches on the roads of Goa, a promise they made in the budget. The
government should encourage the move to digital. They should encourage Ola and
Uber and the local taxi services like Goa miles. It should be remembered that
it is not just tourists who are using these services but locals too. The
government should conduct an audit and make the results public and encourage
the people to discuss it and then take a decision.”
A senior member of a taxi union from the south who did not want
to come on record said the statement by the minister was unfortunate. He said
“If a tourist books us from the south and comes to Panjim and visits a store,
we have to park there. Where else can we park? They claim we are a nuisance. Yes,
there has to be a control and yes there has to be a cap on rent for cars and
bikes which will help us. This is not to do things. I hope there is a rethink.”
Seraffin Cotta of the medium and small hotels association said
anyone who did not know their business would feel very uncomfortable. He said
“Business depends on a source. If people know their market, they will find
their way. Now this move by the government is not something right. People are
jobless. They are taking drugs or resorting to crime. If a person wants to get
into this business, it is obvious he or she has an idea that may be different
from the rest of the market. The government should not stop issuing licenses.”
The
taxi situation is an issue that is emotive and generates strong reactions from
all quarters. One can only hope this does not snowball into an agitation by
concerned parties.
