Team Herald
VASCO: The members of United Taximen Association, an association of taxi operators at Dabolim Airport, along with their families protested against the opening of a new car rental services counter at the airport on Wednesday.
The mass demonstration, with over 500 people participating in the protest, including women, sought the removal of the car rental counter.
Addressing newsmen at Dabolim Airport, UTA President Sanjay Naik claimed that the taxi union members had brought the issue of the new counter at airport before all four BJP MLAs from Mormugao taluka and also South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar and all leaders seemed surprised that Airport Authority officials allowed a Delhi-based company to open a car rental counter at Dabolim Airport.
He said that AAI has been trying to bypass the State government and is keen on allowing outsiders to operate taxi services from the airport; however the Taxi Union would not allow it to happen.
“Since we have already raised the issue before our leaders, we are confident that State government would intervene and stop AAI from allowing a private party to start its operations from airport premises,” he said.
Councillor Yatin Kamurlekar, who is also a taxi owner, said he was confident that the State government would not allow AAI to dictate its terms on car rental service. He said operations of locals would would be severely affected and we are sure the government would come to our rescue, he added.
Association General Secretary Prasad Prabhugaonkar, legal counsel Herculan Dourado and others also slammed AAI for allowing a private party to start car rental service against the wishes of local taxi union.
