MARGAO: In the wake of the tragedy where Javed Sadekar lost his life in an accident on Mandovi Bridge involving a rent-a-car, former Minister Churchill Alemao demanded that the rules and regulations be changed drastically for the rent-a-cab-operators.
Addressing media persons on Monday, Alemao, who expressed sympathy to the bereaved family, questioned why the prevailing rules are so weak for the rent-a-car operators and the tourists driving the cabs.
To curb such accidents, especially those involving drivers (tourists) who do not know to drive but still get possession of these rent-a-cars, Alemao urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to make two major changes.
“The rule should be such that every rent-a-car owner has to provide a driver to the tourist who is booking the vehicle. This should be made mandatory. And it doesn’t matter if the owner has many vehicles. If he can’t provide a driver, then the permit for the vehicles should be cancelled,” said Alemao.
The former minister also said both the rent-a-cab owner and the tourist driving the vehicle, get away easily in case of accidents as far as action taken by the Transport Department is concerned.
“They are talking about cancelling his (the driver’s) licence. Is that enough? It has to be much stronger. What about the rent-car-owner” Alemao said.
He said that in the end a life has been lost and so these minor charges are quite insignificant and what is needed is a change in how the system operates to ensure the safety of others.
He criticised the rash manner in which some of these rent-a-cabs are driven.
