MARGAO: NCP Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao on Friday demanded that government should install the digital meters to taxis free of cost. He also urged not to cancel the licences of taxi operators if they failed to fix the meters.
“I am one of the witnesses about the assurance given by the then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar to fix the digital meters for taxis free of cost. This issue had been discussed by the Parrikar in order to resolve it. I had also suggested that meters should be fixed according to the cost of the taxis,” said Churchill addressing a press conference at Margao.
He said that even Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant had promised to fix the digital meters free of cost; however Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho is denying the facts.
“To my knowledge, the present Chief Minister has concern for the Goans. The maximum number of taxi owners in taxi business at the star hotels are the true Bhumiputras of Goa, and their business should be protected,” said Churchill.
He further stated that taxi owners have already suffered a lot in this COVID 19 pandemic and the government needs to protect them at difficult times.
“I urged CM to fulfill the promise given to taxi operators. The decision to cancel the licences if they fail to fix the meters is totally wrong on the part of the government,” he said.
According to Churchill, the government has no right to cancel the licences of the taxi owners who are true Bhumiputras of Goa.
Govt should fix taxi meters free, says MLA
