TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CALANGUTE: All the tourist taxis will be off the road in the state on Monday in protest against lethargic attitude of the government in tackling the issue of alleged illegal business by private companies and others.
The tourist taxi owners are supported by the black and yellow taxis, while the tempo travelers will be on regular business activities so as not to inconvenience the tourists arriving or departing from Goa.
Speaking to Herald, Vinayak Nanoskar, General Secretary of North Goa
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Tourist Taxi Owners Association (NGTTOA), said: “We had submitted a memorandum to the state government through the collector of north and south to settle the issue.”
“Representations were also submitted to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, Transport Minister Sudin Dhavlikar, coastal MLAs, Director of Transport, Director of Tourism and others, but nobody seems bothered to work out a solution and resolve the issue amicably,” stated Nanoskar.
“We gave the government enough time to resolve the issue amicably, but the private companies have been carrying out the taxi business by eating into our business,” added Nanoskar.
“Today, one company is into illegal taxi business and if they are permitted to do so more such companies will make a beeline in Goa and kill our business. We are surviving on this trade for ages but now the government is allowing outsiders in Goa which will send a wrong signal.”
“We will keep all our taxis off the road for the day and the North Goa Taxi Owners will then assemble in front of St Alex Church, Calangute, to show our plight to the world over through media coverage,” said Nanoskar.
Ravindra Vengurlekar said: “Our protest will be a peaceful protest and we will not be involved in damaging cars, tempos, etc. We want to convey a strong message to the government.”
