Team Herald
PANJIM: After brokering the deal between the government and taxi operators over the installation of speed governors by getting the latter temporary relief, Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo again met Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday urging him to issue fitness certificates to tourist taxis until the gadget becomes available in the State.
The BJP MLA who led a delegation of taxi operators to the Secretariat, a day after the latter ended their three-day strike, said, “The last fitness certificate was issued in April 2017 after which those whose documents’ validity expired, were issued challans. Fresh issue of fitness certificates is subject to speed governors (being installed) but due to its shortage, we have urged the CM to issue fitness certificates until speed governors are available.”
Parrikar, on Sunday, had assured to give taxi operators time to install speed governors as there were not enough gadgets available in the State. Emphasising that the government is of the view that speed governors are not required for tourist taxis, he had raised the possibility of the State submitting an intervention petition in the Supreme Court seeking exemption for taxis holding All-India permits.
Lobo said that as per directions from the Ministry of Transport to State Transport Secretaries, fitness certificates can be issued till the availability of speed governors.
In Goa, fitness certificates of some of the 20,000-odd tourist taxis are still valid, however, in the absence of speed governors, they might have to apply for fresh certificates. Lobo said the CM assured to do necessary relaxation by way of a note to Transport Department.
The delegation also requested Parrikar to set up an office in Margao, for the purpose as it would facilitate operators from South Goa to complete the formalities without traveling to Panjim.
The issue of illegal touts was also deliberated wherein the CM was informed about how some “guides” take tourists, particularly foreign tourists on tour to neighbouring
districts in private vehicles. “These illegal operations need to be stopped,” Lobo said. The government is expected to hold another meeting this month-end to chalk out strategy to crackdown on the illegality.
Meanwhile, Congress claimed it was their efforts that paved the way to end the taxi operators strike. Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Shantaram Naik said that it is because of role played by Congress that the Chief Minister acceded to the demands of taxi operators.
He said, “However, in order to give credit to BJP, the Chief Minister met the delegation of taxi men led by Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo and announced the acceptance of certain demands of taxi men.”
