PANJIM: In a move that will provide a major relief to the local taxi drivers, that too just ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the State government will provide digital meters to the taxi owners free of cost.
This was announced by the Chief Minister, after a meeting with cabinet ministers, incidentally at the BJP head office in Panjim and is widely being seen as a ‘festival gift’ to the taxi owners.
It may be recalled that the taxi operators have had many complaints over the digital meter issue and had even approached the High Court.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday evening, Sawant acknowledged that the State government was aware of the complaints that had been raised by the entire taxi community of Goa before various ministers like Michael Lobo, Mauvin Godinho and the Deputy Chief Ministers.
“The government will give digital meters free of cost to the taxi owners. This will be 100% free with data charges,” said Sawant.
Pointing out that installing these digital meters is compulsory in the State, meaning all the taxi owners have to install the same; Sawant said that the financial burden of such an exercise will be borne by the government.
It may be recalled that one of the grievances the taxi owners was that they had to purchase these meters from the government and not from a vendor of their choice. However, it was the government’s contention that the meters had to have various facilities such as Vehicle Location Tracking Device and Emergency Button (VLTD), GPS tracking etc.
As per the earlier system, the government was going to reimburse the cost of installing the digital meters to the taxi owners although some additional costs like subscription and annual maintenance fees were not included. Now, the taxi owners will not have to pay the installation amount and get it reimbursed later.
The Transport Department will announce the modalities of this amended scheme later on.
“The financial burden on the State due to free meters to around 20,000 taxis will be to the tune of Rs 34 crore and budget provision for this is already made”, said Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho.
Sawant said even GoaMiles will have to install such digital meters in their vehicles.
“We received many grievances from taxi operators that GoaMiles are operating without any meter, accordingly we have taken cognisance of this,” said Sawant, while explaining the new directive to GoaMiles. While the local taxi owners have held protests demanding the cancellation of GoaMiles in Goa, it appears that the free digital meters will be given only to the local taxi owners.
The CM added that obtaining and wearing a ‘badge’ is mandatory for all taxi drivers in the State. He also added that all taxi drivers will have to possess a 15-year domicile certificate.
It is to be noted that the local taxi owners have often alleged that GoaMiles drivers do not have the 15-year domicile and had been demanding that the domicile be made compulsory.
“We received complaints stating taxis from out of the State are doing business in Goa hence we have made 15-year domicile mandatory,” said Sawant.
Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar and PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar were also present for the media briefing along with Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo.
