Team Herald
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said his government is firm on not scrapping the Goa Miles app and a decision on the future course of action on the long drawn battle between the app-based taxi and tourist taxis in Goa will be taken after a discussion on the issue in the Assembly on Wednesday.
On Monday, Chief Minister held separate meetings with Goa Miles team and the tourist taxi owners along with Minister Michael Lobo, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Chairman Dayanand Sopte and MLAs Churchill Alemao and Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco.
Speaking to the media after the meetings, Chief Minister said the government will not scrap the Goa Miles app. “I have not told anyone that I will scrap the app. On Wednesday there is going to be a discussion in the House and a decision will be taken after the discussion. I have taken suggestions from them as well as from Goa Miles and after the discussion the decision will be conveyed”, he stated.
Sopte too reiterated the CM’s statement.
However, Churchill informed that Michael has put forth a suggestion which has been agreed upon by the CM as well as the taxi owners. He said, “Michael has given a suggestion and even the taxi owners are happy with that suggestion, which cannot be disclosed right now. But the solution will be reached which is in the interest of Goans.”
Confirming the development, Michael said a suggestion has been made which will provide a good solution which will be a ‘win-win situation and solution to Goan taxi owners’. “Transparency is very important and all the different taxi associations have been brought on one table and their house needs to be put in order”, he added.
He said a tourist who travels by taxi wants transparency in the form of meters and a fair rate and he should not have to negotiate. “Once there is transparency then all the other players will disappear. We want to bring transparency into the system and everything will fall in place”, Michael added.
