PANJIM: The State government has made it mandatory for all taxi operators to install digital fare meters with Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking device, failing which no new permits or renewals would be granted. Also, no fitness certificate to taxis not equipped with the monitoring tool would be issued.
In a notification issued on Thursday, Transport Director Arun Desai said that all motor cabs must be fitted with fare meters of digital type with printer and GPS tracking device approved by the State Transport Authority (STA).
“No permit of a motor cab will be transferred unless it is fitted with the digital meter and also no fitness certificate to a motor cab will be issued or its existing fitness certificate renewed unless such motor cab has the mechanism in place,” Desai said.
The Director said that the digital meter shall be sealed at three points, namely, at the meter, at the junction box and at the adapter. The motor cab will not ply for hire unless the fare meter bears an intact seal of the Legal Metrology Department to indicate that the fare meter has been tested and is in working condition. The seal shall be always kept intact.
“Any alterations to the fare meter shall be carried out only by the Legal Metrology Department with the written permission of the STA,” Desai said.
The owner, driver, attendant of the motor cab would be penalized as per Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act, if found involved in tampering of the seal or marks placed on a fare meter, or who with an intent to deceive, tampers with the fare meter or the driving mechanism.
Taxi operators have been opposing the digital meters claiming they do not suit the weather conditions. In absence of proper meters, the passengers are overcharged. People’s suggestions have been invited regarding the above move.
