Team Herald
VASCO: From now onwards, 15 years Residence Certificate, police clearance and taxi badge will be mandatory for those drivers willing to conduct into rent-a-cab business.
“This step has been taken to protect the interest of Goan people and to stop the intrusion of the outsiders into State’s taxi business,” Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho informed.
At a press briefing in Vasco, Godinho said, “I have made the police clearance, taxi badge and 15 years Residence Certificate compulsory for the taxi and cab drivers who are willing to carryout rent-a-cab business.”
He revealed that this step has been taken to protect the livelihood and the interest of the local Goans, who are suffering on account of the outsiders taking over their business. Godinho said, “I have learnt that many outsiders have joined the GoaMiles App taxi business and most non-Goan taxi drivers have been given permits without checking their background which has led to the untoward incidents with the tourists, thereby bringing a bad name to the State.”
“To avoid such harassment and unwanted situations, these parameters have been laid,” he added.
On the newly amended implementation of Central Government’s traffic rules, he said, “These new traffic rules will be applied only after the roads in Goa are pothole-free and this will be done by December”.
On the imposition of fines, the minister said, “A person found drunk while driving and driving without licence, cases will be filed as per the Central Government’s rules.”
