Bus, taxi operators postpone strike after talks with CM
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 3
The bus and taxi operators have decided to postpone their proposed strike on December 27 after Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Friday agreed to reduce the permit rates following intervention by Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes.
A joint delegation of the bus and taxi operators accompanied by the Calangute MLA called on the Chief Minister and impressed upon him to review the permit rates charged by the government.
After an hour-long discussion, the Chief Minister later told newsmen that he has agreed to reduce the permit rates within the range of Rs 1000. “The delegation complained that the permit rates have been hiked from Rs 150 to Rs 5000. I have agreed to reduce these rates within Rs 1000”, he said, adding that he has convened a meeting in Panjim on December 28 with the Director of Transport to resolve the pending grievances.
After coming out from the meeting, the Calangute MLA said that all problems faced by the bus and taxi operators would be settled by the government.
He said the Chief Minister was very sympathetic to the demands of the operators and has agreed to reduce the permit rates. “The meeting on December 28 will resolve all outstanding problems of the bus and taxi operators”, he added.
Subhash Kalangutkar of the All Goa Bus Owners Association told newsmen that the bus owners have agreed to postpone the strike scheduled on December 27 after the Calangute MLA has assumed the responsibility to solve their pending grievances.
However, leader of the bus owners Sudip Tamankar said though the Chief Minister has given oral assurances to resolve their demands, the bus owners will meet and take a decision on the strike withdrawal.
The All Goa Taxi Owners Association said they have agreed to withdraw the strike after the Calangute MLA promised to get all the demands resolved.
Its representative Vinayak Nanaskar said the Chief Minister has given the assurance to reduce the permit rates and called for scrapping of the rates published in the Official gazette. “We have decided to postpone the strike. The Calangute MLA has taken the full responsibility to fulfill our genuine demands”, he added.
