PANJIM: The Centre for Responsible Tourism, a church-backed organization, criticized the statements made by Russian Ambassador Alexander Kadakin Friday on Russians operating taxis and termed it an “illegality.”
Stating that the Centre viewed “with serious apprehension” the reported comments in the media made by Kadakin who defended the rights of Russians to operate tourist taxis “because the tourists are charged 10 times more than the actual fare,” Fr Savio Fernandes of the Council of Social Justice and Peace, on behalf of CRT said that the government has notified the rates at which tourist taxis operate.
“The notified rates for tourist taxis can be accessed from the concerned taxis and the government. If any tourist thinks they are being cheated they can approach the law enforcing authorities and lodge a formal complaint demanding action,” he said in a communiqué to the media, adding, that the Russians arrive to the State as tourists and not on business visas.
, “…which does not authorise them to get involved in business. This is an illegality.”
“The tourists are charged 10 times more than the actual travel fare by the taxi operators in Goa,” Russian Ambassador had alleged Friday defending Russians getting into taxi business after launching Russian Counsul’s Office in Panjim.
Various accusations have been made that taxis operators overcharge with the issue even figuring in the just completed Assembly session. On the other hand local tourist stakeholders have accused the Russians of taking jobs away from locals by starting their own taxi service as well using Russian guides who were not registered in the State.
“What should they do when a taxi operator charges tourists more than 10 times the actual fare?” Kadakin asked, even stating that he “was once charged exorbitant fare by a taxi operator.”
But according to the Centre for Responsible Tourism, a taxi driver gets licences and permits to be able to serve as a legal driver, as per the requirements of the Directorate of Transport. “In such a situation, how will a Russian who comes on a tourist visa be able to fulfil the requirements of the concerned department? Thus a Russian will not be able to function legally as a taxi driver,” CRT said, stressing that the tourist taxi business gives livelihood to the locals and there are “more than sufficient persons” in the business to meet tourists demand and do not need tourists to provide the services.
