‘We strongly feel there is government-tourist taxis-police nexus’

Herald: What are the issue/issues the rent-a-cab association is affected with?

Amir Shirodkar: Since the government has been dilly-dallying on giving permits to operate the rental cabs, the RTO and police are continuously stopping vehicles driven by our customers. The tourists are put to inconvenience without any reason and money is extorted. This leaves a bad impression impacting tourism in the State. We also have to fight from certain sections of our own locals who are opposing our business. 

Herald: For how long is the association demanding regularizing the rental cabs?

Shirodkar: It’s been three years that we have asking the present government to regularize the business and for the last seven months, we are awaiting permits to legally run the vehicles on road. But the government does not seem interested at all. It is playing a funny role as it is scared of its own people. Government does not run like this. It has to take its own decision and bow to the pressure of others. We are only asking to regularize the permits, which is not illegal at all. We strongly feel there is government-tourist taxis-police nexus.   

Herald: What is the issue the association is facing with its rival Tourist Taxis?

Shirodkar: We are 900 registered members. We are slapped with so many allegations but the real story is that the Tourist Taxis overcharge the customers, and even demand extra fares for overtime. They have got into so many arguments with their clients. Whereas there is not a single complaint against rental cab owners/operators. 

Herald: For how long are the rental vehicles off-road?

Shirodkar: We are running our vehicles illegally because we are left with no option. We pay fine to the enforcing authorities when they seize our vehicles. The only relief could be the order of High Court of Bombay at Goa where we have filed a petition seeking directions to government to heed to our demands. We hope to get justice. 

Herald: What is the loss estimated so far? How was the business before the ban on permits?

Shirodkar: We are forced to operate illegal but this comes along with paying fines when caught by the law enforcing authorities. The situation si such that we cannot afford to pay installments and additional money is spent to release the vehicles attached by the police/RTO. The charges were earlier Rs 2,000 which they now increase up to Rs 15,000. Our vehicles are detained for several days.