Team Herald
PANJIM: The North Goa Rent-a-Cab Association has demanded the government refuse permission to non-Goans applicants wishing to start the rental transport business in the State. In a meeting with Transport Director Nikhil Desai, the association members pleaded that their business should not encroached by non-Goans.
“Some non-Goan individuals have applied for permission to the Transport Department to start the rent-a-cab business in the northern belt. We urge the department to not grant them the permission and ensure that the business is protected for the locals,” one of the association members said before the meeting with transport director.
Speaking to reporters thereafter, Desai said the association is asked to submit reasons on what grounds applications of the non-Goans applicants be rejected. “I have asked them to give me reasons why the applicants do not deserve the operator’s license. We will definitely take action if these applications are not within the law and review our decision,” he said
The association, backed by Margao and Vasco rental car groups, also sought the government restricts the total number of rent-a-cars operating across the State to 2,500. The two matters will be placed before the State Transport Authority for a decision, probably the next week.
They also demanded that several private vehicles, illegally operating as rental vehicles at Dabolim airport be cracked down to which Desai assured immediate action. “We will deploy enforcement teams to crack down on illegal rental cabs and the result will be seen in 1-2 days,” he said also mentioning that the department has suspended registrations of 150 such vehicles so far.
