CM moots flying squads, to rein in foreign ‘reps’
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has proposed flying squads, in a bid to solve the grievances of North Goa tourist taxi operators who descended on the Secretariat Tuesday to meet him.
Parrikar also assured them to find solutions to the festering conflicts between them and tour operators with further discussions likely to be convened on January 30 to chalk out mechanisms for the same. The chief minister also assured that he would clamp down on foreign nationals engaged in illegal employment in Goa.
However, deliberations between North Goa taxi operators and the government remained inconclusive Tuesday, after the group of more than 500 tourist taxi operators vociferously appealed for government action against tour operators and foreign nationals whom they alleged were trampling on the livelihood of locals along the coastal belt.
A delegation of 10 tourist taxi operators led by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo met the chief minister Tuesday afternoon and discussed issues in-depth while requesting government’s intervention.
They informed the government about the increasing number of tour operators engaging foreign tourists as guides in addition to conducting tours for tourists. Reports of such cases in the North and South of Goa were placed before the chief minister. The more recent cases having being reported Monday.
The taxi operators, sources say, were also advised not to take law in their hands as the government would work out mechanisms to deal with all illegalities.
The taxi operators led by its chief from North Goa, Vasu Arlekar complained bitterly to the chief minister on how Russians are taking over the local business of tours, excursions, guiding and so on.
They also submitted copies of pamphlets and fliers being distributed in Russian and canvassing of business by and for Russians.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo impressed on the chief minister to work out solutions in the interest of tourism in the State and also reiterated that the government draws up a clear policy for tourist taxi operators in Goa.
“I have also asked the taxi operators to come up with mechanisms to present themselves as ambassadors of tourism in Goa with uniforms, display of badges, licenses and fare charts so that tourists feel encouraged to use tourist taxis”, he said.
He felt that it was not right that the taxi operators be blamed all the time for overcharging and other reasons. He
said, “the government must act fast and not allow things to go out of hand as happened in the case of Nigerians,” said Lobo.
They also proposed that the government conduct a joint meeting annually of tourist taxi operators, and concerned government departments to facilitate better co-ordination and resolve issues, if any, for smooth conduct of tourism related business. Monday’s meeting, however, did not find any discussion on meters for taxis.
