PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Friday granted yet another opportunity to the State government to install digital meters in all taxis.
The Bench headed by Justice M S Sonak and Justice M S Jawalkar have extended the deadline by 15 days as it has posted the contempt petition for further consideration on June 14.
“Before initiating further action in this contempt petition, we have given the State government yet another opportunity to commence the process of installation of digital meters in taxis as early as possible and in any case within a period of 15 days from today. We post this matter for further consideration to June 14, 2021, by which date the Respondents (the Government and Transport Department) have to file an affidavit indicating the status including the details of taxis where the digital meters have been installed,” read the three-page order.
During the hearing, the Advocate General stated that the State is quite keen to install the digital meters in taxis and all efforts are being made.
He stated that in fact there was a proposal for installing such meters from May 1.
The AG informed the Court that some difficulties had arisen on account of the COVID-19 pandemic situation and the contractor’s Nodal Officer who was dealing with the State government had passed away. Therefore, there has been a delay to install the meters.
“According to us, the work of installing digital meters in taxis should have been completed long ago not only in terms of the directions issued by us but also the assurances given in the contempt proceedings. The implementation of our orders cannot be postponed or for that matter avoided based upon the reason now stated,” the Court observed.
On Thursday, the Transport Department extended the deadline for feedback on digital meters to May 16 while staying that its installation will be carried out within a fortnight.
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) had filed a contempt plea against the government in the High Court for failing to comply with its submission to install the meters within the deadline disclosed to the Court.
