PANJIM: All Goa Private Bus Owners Association, on Wednesday, expressed their willingness to operate private buses under the Smart City mission in Panjim, at a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. However, they have requested the government’s help for the same. The private bus owners had earlier raised apprehensions about the operations of the new EV bus service in Panjim, stating that they would be out of business.
All Goa Private Bus Owners Association members met Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Wednesday at Mantralaya, Porvorim, regarding the proposed operations of around 70 new EV bus services in Panjim. After sending multiple letters, they finally met the Chief Minister on Wednesday.
During the meeting the private bus owners stated that they don’t mind converting their buses to electric vehicles and they are ready to comply with the government’s decision keeping in mind that it shouldn’t affect their survival. As their children will soon take over this businesses, they highlighted that they must not go jobless.
On the other hand, the private bus owners claim that the government had issued a halt to the ‘Mhaji Bus’ scheme in the State due to numerous loopholes and malpractices. “Before the announcement of the ‘Mhaji Bus’ scheme, we had advised CM that this scheme won’t last long. Due to multiple loopholes in this scheme no one is benefitting from this scheme, neither the government nor us,” Sudip N Tamankar General Secretary of private bus owners association said. A letter has already been issued by the Kadamda Corporation to discontinue this scheme.
In the meeting, the bus owners stated all the points and their demands. They said the Chief Minister responded positively and gave an assurance to the bus owners to sort out their issues immediately.
