Tourist taxis fear losing biz after delay in renewing permits

Tourist taxis fear losing biz after delay in renewing permits
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, AUG 28
After abandoned by transport department, the tourist taxi operators fear that they would lose their business, as their all Goa permits await renewal.
Addressing a press conference today evening, North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association, Vice President Ravindra Vengurlekar claimed that since last three months, the transport department has not renewed their All Goa Tourist Taxi permits despite categorical assurance by the government.
“There are nearly 2000 registered vehicles whose permits are supposed to be renewed by the department. The number will increase by November,” he said.
Vengurlekar stated that a taxi operator is issued with All India Tourist taxi permit for nine years and on expiry, they are renewed for another five years but only given All Goa Tourist Taxi permit.
“But now, the department says that the permits would be issued to only those vehicles which are above 1000cc. They have asked us to change our vehicles from 800cc to 1000cc if we want the permits,” he added.
The taxi operators say that they have loan liabilities running for nine years, which makes it impossible for them to buy another car.
“Our livelihood depends on this business. If the government doesn’t issue us permit, then how will we survive?” questioned a taxi operator.
The association has also alleged that the department has increased the permit fees by 200 times.
Information obtained under RTI by the Association reveals that the permit fees have been increased from Rs 150 to Rs 2000 for 800cc vehicles and from Rs 300 to Rs 5000 for 1000cc vehicles.
Vengurlekar said that the issue was raised before Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, Transport Minister Ramkrishna Dhawalikar, Transport Secretary Narendra Kumar and Director of Transport Arun Desai.
“It was assured to us that the permits for all the union members would be renewed after August 15,” Vengurlekar said.
The association has also urged South Goa Tourist Taxi Owners association as well as Mapusa Tourist Taxi Owners Association to submit the list of names of their members to the department for the renewal.