Tourist taxi operators to apologise for their conduct
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Fearing the implications of the tough stand taken by the Goa Assembly on the unprecedented act of alleged intimidation of MLAs by tourist taxi operators, the latter have decided to apologise to the House for their conduct, even as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is set to table the report, on alleged ‘intimidation’ of MLAs, in the House on Monday, April 29.
The House committee on breach of privileges met on Saturday and a three-member delegation of North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association attended the meeting.
Sources in the legislative assembly disclosed that this is the first time that such an incident has occurred where MLAs have been attacked outside for statements made in the House, during an ongoing Session.
“This cannot be taken lightly and a strong message has to be sent that it will not be tolerated in the future,” said this official.
Talking to Herald North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association vice president Rabindra Vengurlekar confirmed about the meeting and said that they would apologise in the House and thereafter a motion would be passed in the House on Monday or Tuesday.
“The House Committee explained that our conduct was in violation of Article 194 of Constitution of India. They also said that though the members of the House spoke about taxi meters, there was nothing against us,” he said.
The association office bearers said they would not allow any member or operator to indulge in such unruly behaviour in future.
Vasu Arlekar, President of the North Goa Tourist Taxi Association told Herald that they had overreacted to the statements reported by the media and an oral apology was tendered.
A report from the police has also been furnished to the Legislature confirming the incidents of gherao of MLA Rohan Khaunte at Porvorim two weeks ago.
Taxi owners had taken morchas to the homes of Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte following a debate in the Assembly, objecting to operators fleecing tourists and demanding that they compulsorily fix fare meters in their taxis.
This conduct of taxi operators had evoked a strong reaction from the Goa Legislative Assembly, with Speaker Rajendra Arlekar said that the attempt was a “serious breach of privilege” and had advised the chief minister to get a full report from the police.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar during the session had said that the conduct of the taxi operators amounts to intimidation of the House and that it is not permissible. Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane also reacted strongly and demanded that the guilty be summoned before the House and warned that they would be put behind bars.
