Team Herald
PANJIM: With the tourist season still at its peak and the State hosting a couple of important national conferences, approximately 15,000 taxis will remain off the roads on Friday, forcing the government to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act.
Despite requests and warnings from the government, the taxi operators are adamant on going ahead with the strike on Friday, with unions claiming it has been called to protest the installation of speed governors in their vehicles as well as harassment by police and transport authorities.
Taxi unions said they are firm on the strike and there is nothing illegal in it. “We have taken all permissions. We will see that no law and order situation will occur. We will be assembling at Azad Maidan in Panjim on Friday,” All Goa Taxi Owners Association general secretary Vinayak Nanoskar, said.
The State government has accepted the challenge and introduced measures to reduce inconvenience, which could be caused to tourists and locals, including invoking ESMA for passengers and goods transport services.
The order issued by Additional Home Secretary Narayan Sawant states, “The Government of Goa in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by sub section (1) of Section 3 of the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1988 (Goa Act 20 of 1989) and being satisfied that in the public interest it is necessary, has prohibited strike in any form in all transport services for the carriage of passengers or goods by land or water in the state of Goa with immediate effect”.
Transport Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar termed the strike illegal and warned of stern action against taxi operators.
Any taxi operator found taking the law in his hand will be punished and strict action will be taken, which could be suspension of their licences or subsidy benefit, the minister said and appealed to the taxi operators not to go on strike stating that the Government is open for discussion. He has also appealed taxi owners not to disturb the tourism sector of the State by way of strikes.
Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTC) chairman Carlos Almeida said that all arrangements to curb inconvenience to tourists and locals are being done. “We have kept 36 buses on standby, another 17 will be added in the morning and our teams are strategically kept ready on different locations in order to minimise inconvenience to the tourists as well as locals”, he said.
Goa Police has also made security arrangements to avoid any law and order situation. All coastal police stations have been briefed and staff kept on reserve.
Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo said, “I urge the All Goa Taxi Owners’ Association to call off their strike as it will cause inconvenience to taxi drivers, who depend on it for their daily livelihood. It will also inconvenience tourists. An amicable solution can be arrived at by holding discussions.”
The South Goa District Magistrate has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC on Friday, to prohibit the gathering of four or more persons along the roads in South Goa in view of the strike. It will not apply to religious functions, marriages, funeral procession and government servants on duty.
