Now, 800 cc engine taxis can renew tourist permit
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 23
The taxi operators in the state can now heave a sigh of relief as the State government has reverted back their earlier decision of not renewing all Goa permit of taxis with 800 cc engine.
The recently held State Transport Authority (STA) meeting withdrew its earlier directive passed on September 2007 stating that all Goa permits for all those vehicles below 1000 cc engine will be now renewed.
However, it is also said that no new taxis permits will be granted to vehicles below 1000 cc.
Transport Director Arun Desai confirmed the government directive adding that in 2007, the decision not to allow taxis below 1000 cc was taken which was extended in 2008.
Director said that the government decision has benefited nearly 500-700 taxi operators.
The taxi operators in the state in past had strongly raised objection to the government decision to ban permits for vehicles below 1000 cc.
The operators had claimed that more than thousand registered vehicles are waiting for permits to be renewed. “We earn our livelihood through this business,” they had said.
The taxi operators are issued with All India Tourist taxi permits for nine years duration, which are later renewed into All Goa Tourist Taxi permit for another five years.
Since, Monday the state government has also increased the permit fees of all the tourist taxis and buses registered under various categories.
All Goa tourist taxis as well all India tourist taxis will have to shell out Rs 1000 and Rs 5000 as permit fees as against Rs 150.
Similar is the case with all Goa and all India tourist buses, who will have to now pay Rs 4,000 and Rs 5000 respectively as against Rs 300.
The yellow/black taxies, auto rickshaw and motorcycles are also affected with the hike in permit fees as they have to pay pay Rs 500, Rs 300 and Rs 150 each.
