TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: “We are also Goans, and sons of the soil, and along with employees, are in far greater numbers than the taxi operators, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) said, demanding that they should be given equal, if not more weightage in government decision making.
Speaking to media persons, after a meeting with members, TTAG president Francisco de Bragança said it was their attempt to impress upon the chief minister that they are in much larger numbers than the taxi drivers and should be given preference.
Without saying in as many words that they too could be a sizeable “vote bank” Bragança also said that politicians who take the side of the taxi drivers ultimately end up losing.
“We want far greater consideration. We want to be treated equally and also as sons of the soil,” Bragança reiterated.
He said that the industry is contributing as much as Rs 1900 crore per year in revenues to the government, in addition to bringing nearly Rs 35,000 crore investment into the state over the years.
When asked why he felt the government was not acting against errant operators or dragging its feet on streamlining the business, he said he felt it was because of the erroneous assumption that the taxi drivers formed a huge vote bank.
“Politically, the taxi drivers hold sway only in the seats of Benaulim and Calangute. Even in these seats history has shown us that those who support the taxi drivers have lost,” Bragança said. He said that the immediate concern of the industry was that law and order should be restored.
“No industry bites the hand that feeds it. The tourist should not be affected,” Former TTAG president Ralph de Souza said adding that the there was a very real threat that more of such incidents will drive tourists away.
“A prime concern for tourists is their safety and security. Law and order problems and even fear is sure to kill the industry,” de Souza.
