PANJIM: The North Goa Rent-a-Car Association convened a meeting with the Department of Road Transport to address the recent government decision to convert the yearly road tax into a one-time lifetime tax. Expressing dissatisfaction with this move, the association raised their concerns during discussions with the Public Grievance Officer.
Nitesh Chodankar, Vice President of the North Goa Rent-a-Car Association, articulated their stance, stating, “The road tax has been changed from an annual payment to a lifetime payment, significantly impacting our operations. For larger vehicles, the tax burden amounts to approximately Rs 2 lakh, while smaller vehicles face an approximate tax of Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000. We have approached authorities to discuss this issue.”
Chodankar further added, “The Assistant Director has assured us that measures will be taken to address our concerns.”
Addressing safety and accountability concerns raised by the media, Chodankar emphasized, “We take precautions and educate our clients on responsible driving practices, such as refraining from drunk driving, avoiding beach driving, and adhering to speed limits. It’s imperative that authorities crack down on errant customers, as many accidents involve rental vehicles, as also private vehicles. We maintain records of licenses and advocate for fines to be sent directly to offenders’ addresses.”
The association urges authorities to enforce accountability measures not only on rental vehicles but also on private vehicles involved in accidents, ensuring a fair and just regulatory framework for all road users.
