As I understand it the government in Panjim from time to time sets the taxi rates and those rates then become the legal applicable rates that can be legally charged in law. To charge above those rates for whatever reason is in my view illegal and depending on the law in Delhi and Goa a breach of the relevant consumer laws or criminal code if applicable. That is a crime has been committed by the taxi industry who support overcharging as a right or entitlement.
As a reasonable regular user for a trip of 13.5 km I am asked in extreme circumstances to pay more than Rs 1000 one way. Yet the fare shown on the bash board is Rs 20 a km. That is Rs 270 for the trip. With hard bargaining paying Rs 300 or 350 is possible. Otherwise I take two public buses costing Rs 25.
Part of the problem with the industry is the way it is structured with taxi stands and a consequent over issuance of licences.
On the assumption that the fares from the airport are government approved the km rate appears to be Rs 30 so to pay Rs 350 for my regular trip is about the correct price.
Taxi fares like not wearing motor bike helmets is a government failure of law enforcement. That is the government consents to by enforcement failure to a continuing long term illegal behaviour by its citizens. Which in itself is illegal and PIL appears to be one way of enforcement, that is seek court orders for Panjim to enforce the law.
The government attitude of impunity to breaches of the law by taxi drivers and other civil society groups is the root cause of corruption.
I recall many years ago the Herald ran a story about the fees applicable to the building / property development process in Goa. The issue was that if the regulated fee was 100 then a 10% facilitation fee would expedite the process , yet those greed government officers were trying to jack up the facilitation fee to 20% . The gripe was not the fact that there was a 10% facilitation fee but the price increase by 100%. Conveniently overlooking that the facilitation fee was corruption.
The solution to the taxi industry is simple. No more licences should be issue, a reduction over time in the total number of licences on issue, introduction of meters and a starting meter fee of say Rs 30 and Rs 30 per km.
Any breaches by the licence holder or his driver to incur court proceedings resulting in a fine or lose of licence or both. That is the law for example in Thailand and it is enforced by the police
Law enforcement not impunity for corrupt practice is what governments in theory are elected for, that is to serve all citizens not the favored few who with impunity assert publicly that taxis are a special case that justifies corrupt and illegal behavior.
