This story is from June 13, 2019

Politicos pledge support as cabbies threaten strike over GoaMiles

The All Goa Tourist Taxi Owners’ Association (AGTTOA), at its public meeting held on Wednesday, demanded that the government immediately terminate the licence given to the app-based cab service GoaMiles to operate in Goa, failing which they threatened to take to the streets in protest.
Politicos pledge support as cabbies threaten strike over GoaMiles
MARGAO: The All Goa Tourist Taxi Owners’ Association (AGTTOA), at its public meeting held on Wednesday, demanded that the government immediately terminate the licence given to the app-based cab service GoaMiles to operate in Goa, failing which they threatened to take to the streets in protest. They also demanded that state transport director Nikhil Dessai be suspended forthwith.
Margao Congress MLA Digambar Kamat and Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress president Pratima Coutinho also addressed the gathering and pledged their support to the protesting taxi owners.
Kamat said the taxi service was in existence in Goa since pre-Liberation and therefore urged the government to come out with a solution that would protect the interests of Goan taxi owners.
TimesView

Goa’s taxi operators are infamous the world over and are a law unto themselves. The high-handedness with which they have operated for so many years clearly shows the political patronage they have enjoyed. You don’t have to look far when you see a former CM and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat exhorting these operators to take law into their hands. These pliable politicians, who shamelessly join hands with unscrupulous elements, are the bane of this beautiful state. For a few votes, they would prefer to inconvenience Goans and tourists rather than stand with the people and the government. By threatening to go on strike and take to the streets if the government doesn’t withdraw its licence to an app-based service provider, these operators have turned hooligans.


Association president Chetan Kamat warned of intensifying the agitation if the government failed to meet their demands.
Taxi drivers refuted accusations that they charge tourists exorbitant rates, and termed it a false propaganda to defame them. Pointing out that there were 32,000 Goan taxi owners, speakers said these would be deprived of their livelihoods if GoaMiles was allowed to operate.
This paper has always stood for the rights of citizens and against the strong-arm tactics of taxi operators, and will continue to do so. What the state needs, besides efficient public transport, is app-based services that will break the taxi mafia. CM Pramod Sawant has expressed his intent to crack down on these unruly operators and now is the time to act.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA