MARGAO
Saying that Niz Goemkar tourist taxi operators will be left with no option than to commit suicide for want of government support to run the trade, local taxi operators on Sunday directed their ire at the government accusing the dispensation of meting out harassment.
In fact, they demanded to know why Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has not called a meeting with the tourist taxi operators after giving an assurance during the Assembly session to resolve all issues plaguing the operation.
Vice-President of North and South Goa Taxi Union Association Savio Goes sent a clear message to the Chief Minister saying the government is not doing anything to stop the harassment.
He pointed out that hotels, casino and other tourism stakeholder double their rates during peak season, but the local taxi operators are targeted by everyone for complying with the government taxi fare. “Our vehicles are fitted with speed governors and have also installed meters. We have GPS tracking device in our vehicles, but the harassment has stopped. We have huge loans to repay for our vehicles, but our business is taken by outside taxies. The government has stopped our subsidies. In such a situation, we will be left with no option than to commit suicide”, Savio warned.
He added: “We are being accused of overcharging customers, but we follow the government in all seasons. We don’t change the rates as per the season unlike hotels and casinos, which doubles the rates as per the season”.
Savio said the Chief Minister should honour his commitment and call the tourist taxi operators for discussions and sort out all issues, warning that they will come on the streets with their families and children to demand justice.
