Team Herald
PANJIM: After initially withholding implementation of GPS-enabled digital taxi meters following protests by taxi operators, the State government is now justifying the delay in enforcing its 15-month old notification citing the ongoing code of conduct.
“The State government and Transport Department are in favour of effective implementation of (amended) Rule 140. However, till the model code of conduct is in force in the State, the government is not in a position to take any decision involving major financial implications vis-à-vis inviting applications from the manufacturer for the fare meters of digital type with printer and GPS,” Transport Director Sunil Masurkar said in a reply submitted to the High Court of Bombay at Goa, on Wednesday.
The affidavit-in-reply was in response to a petition filed by Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) and other stakeholders seeking directions to the government to implement its decision to make digital meters compulsory for tourist taxis.
The Transport Department further submitted that its intention to keep in abeyance the implementation was also in the interest of stakeholders and public at large. The reply also highlights the sensitivity of the issue as it would affect a large number of self-employed persons, many of whom are owners of single taxi.
In June 2015, the department had issued a notification making it mandatory to install the meters on 15,000-odd tourist taxis in Goa. It had also incorporated a provision of granting 50 percent subsidy or Rs 5000 towards its purchase. The implementation was, however, kept on hold owing to objections raised by some taxi operators.
The petitioners alleged that keeping the amended Rule 140 in abeyance was illegal, without authority of the law and that it will perpetuate the damage already caused to industries in Goa by delayed enforcement. The State government contested the allegation stating that the decision to fix the meters will be possible only after the code is lifted. Similarly, the committee constituted for the purpose, is yet to arrive at a conclusion.
“The impugned notifications are published to maintain transparency, fairness and clarity in the entire system, and the State government can take a decision to fix the fare meters only after the code of conduct is lifted and, or a report from the committee is received,” it stated. The bench adjourned the matter for further hearing on Monday.
