Team Herald
PANJIM: The Transport Department has proposed to the Government to verify the taxi union’s claim that speed governors are not available in the State.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
“We have already proposed to the Government that we should go and check the availability of the speed governors in the market”, a senior Transport Department official said.
It may be recalled that all Goa taxi operators called off their three-day strike following assurance from the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar that the Government will seek more time from the Union Ministry under Section 110 (III) (B) of Central Motor Vehicle Act, as it was brought to the chief minister’s notice that the required speed governors are not available.
Chief Minister had also assured the taxi operators that the fitness certificates would be issued from January 24.
“They have brought to the notice that there is a shortage in the supply of speed governors. Now, that has to be confirmed. We cannot go by their word”, an officer said.
He informed that the Transport Department will verify the availability of the speed governors.
“That verification will happen only through Expression of Interest, asking the necessary bidders and manufacturers to inform us on the availability and the price of speed governors”, an officer said.
The officer said that once the process of examining the availability of speed governors is completed, the same would be placed before Government. He hinted that anytime Government will take a call to implement speed governors.
A Transport Department officer added that issuance of fitness certificates to taxis and installation of speed governors are not interlinked.
He said the proposal has been sent to the Government for issuing fitness certificates. Once it is cleared, the notification will be issued.
“For the commercial transport vehicles as per law, once the fitness certificates are issued they have to come back after a year. But that does not mean that they can escape speed governors for that year”, an officer said.
“Irrespective of fitness, taxi operators have to install the speed governors. If Government takes a decision, during inspection and if they are caught then they will be fined as per law”.
He said issuance of fitness certificate to taxis and installation of speed governors are not interlinked.
