PANAJI/PERNEM
The State government on Monday accepted five demands of the agitating taxi operators, while refusing to shut the GoaMiles counter, operational at Manohar International Airport, Mopa. The taxi operators, however, have decided to continue their protest until their demands are met in writing.
On Monday, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant held a second round of meeting with the protesting taxi operators from Pernem and accepted their five out of six demands. Post meeting, Sawant said that the taxi operators have agreed to withdraw their protest.
Taxi operators from Pernem have been agitating 24x7 at Pernem for past 5 days.
“Their 6th demand is removal of GoaMiles counter. Government will not agree on this,” asserted Sawant.
“Starting GoaMiles cab aggregator in the state was a policy decision and they have been offering good and quality services. We have not invested anything in them, moreover they are paying GST to us,” Sawant asserted.
The other demands that the government has agreed upon is taxi counter free of cost for local taxi owners at Mopa Airport, roll back of hike in parking charges from Rs 200 to Rs 80 and arrival pick up charges and providing them with a green card for using the link road, where toll is made applicable.
The protesting taxi operators have vowed to continue their agitation in Pernem till they get in writing from the government five of their six demands which were agreed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in connection with facilities at the Manohar International Airport at Mopa.
This decision was unanimously taken by the striking taxi operators on the fifth day of their protest in Pernem.
“Of the six demands we had put forth, five demands were accepted by the chief minister during our meeting with him. But we have not been given anything in writing as yet. We will continue this agitation until we get a written assurance on our demands,” said Chetan Kamat, leader of the taxi association.
“We had demanded that the GoaMiles taxi counter should be removed from Mopa airport and the app-service be shut. However, the chief minister said since this is a matter of the entire State, it would be discussed later. We will discuss this matter with fellow taxi operators across the State.”
Another leader of the taxi operators, Anand Gawas, said taxi operators from across the State had been supporting the protesting taxi operators from Mopa airport.
“The government needs to urgently resolve our demands by giving us their assurances in writing and only then will our agitation be suspended,” said Gawas.
