PANJIM: Transport Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said that tourist taxis at Konkan Railway stations would soon be converted to black-and-yellow taxis.
“The white tourist taxis will be converted into black-and-yellow taxis in two months at all KRC stations. It will start from Margao railway station,” he said replying during Question Hour on Wednesday.
The reply was to a question tabled by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat whether any applications were made by tourist taxi operators at KRC footbridge at Aquem, Malbhat, Margao for conversion of tourist taxis to yellow-and-black.
“An application was received on April 27, 2016 and the same was forwarded to the office of the Assistant Director of Transport (Enforcement) Margao/ Regional Transport Authority on June 15, 2016. The application was placed before the Regional Transport Authority (RTO) meeting on August 5, 2016 and the RTO has resolved that government may consider requests of the tourist taxi operators for conversion into yellow black taxis. In this regard No Objection Certificate from Margao Municipal Council and Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD) was requested and the same was received from PWD on November 16, 2016 and thereafter immediately on November 21, 2016, the RTA requested the PWD office to paint the parking lot in accordance with the Layout plan,” reads the written reply further stating,
“However, compliance report from PWD is awaited, for publication of notification from District Magistrate. After the notification is issued, process of conversion to yellow black taxis will be considered for finalisation.”
Meanwhile, the existing 150 white tourist taxis at Dabolim airport are now yellow-and-black taxis, the minister told the House.
In a written reply, he stated that the government had decided to convert it in order to overcome the dispute between tourist taxi and yellow black taxis and to cater to extra demand for taxis from Airport passengers
In reply to a supplementary question tabled by Monserrate, the CM also allayed apprehensions that there was a ban on appointment on compassionate grounds.
However, he said that recruitment process which were underway but could not be delivered was particularly because the vacancy available and the qualification of a candidate did not go together. “A B Com graduate cannot be given the job of a peon. At the most he/she can be given the job of a clerk,” he added justifying reason for some pending vacancies.
