Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the State government to prepare the modalities for installation of digital taxi meters within two weeks. When the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday, the bench refused to accept the State government’s plea seeking a month’s time.
In its last hearing, the court had asked the State government to submit its final decision on the deadline for installation of digital taxi meters by Wednesday.
The court is hearing a writ petition filed by the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), supported by Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and other stakeholders, alleging that the government was illegally and unconstitutionally keeping in abeyance implementation of the decision and sought directions for its immediate enforcement.
On Monday, the Advocate General had submitted that the government had decided to implement the notification but wanted a month’s time to implement the decision. The bench slammed the government that mere submissions about implementing the notification would not do. The AG then sought time till the month-end to file the affidavit or order or decision and the time frame by when the taxi meters would be installed, which the court declined.
Meanwhile, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who has been backing the tourist taxi owners, claimed the latter have agreed to install the meters in a meeting with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday. However, taxi operators have sought a subsidy in a bid to encourage self employment.
“They are agreeing to install digital meters but they have some reservation about the revised rates, whether they should get fair rates as decided and notified. They also want that the meters’ servicing and repairs be carried out in Goa. The app-based meters is also very important. The government can think of giving subsidy, and CM has agreed to this,” Lobo told Herald after the meeting, along with taxi operators at the CM’s official residence.
While Lobo has demanded 90 percent subsidy, the government will take a final call. A meeting in this regard is scheduled on November 17 when taxi operators will be submitting a detailed list of their demands. “CM will speak to the director and come out with a solution,” he said.
Speaking on the other issue of rental cars, Lobo opined that genuine rental car operators could be brought under one system called ‘Rent a Cab System’ wherein Goans would get job opportunity. “They can come under government scheme so there is no room for illegal business,” he said.
