MARGAO: Around hundred taxi drivers and operators from across the state on Thursday met the Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai and urged him to ‘support Goykar taxi drivers’ by stopping the tour operators Ola and Uber from entering Goa.
The taxi operators, who were accompanied by the Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao to the South Goa collectorate building, claimed that if the outside tour operators are allowed in state then Goan taxi operators will be badly affected.
“If Goykarponn is to be maintained, then the Goan taxi drivers and operators should be supported. The purpose of the expansion of the tourism industry is to help the local taxi drivers and operators,’’ Alemao told Sardesai during the meeting. He also urged Sardesai to look into the matter and to back Goans on the issue.
South Goa tourist taxi association general secretary Roque Fernandes accused the government of trying to sideline them by encouraging private tour operators from Delhi.
North Goa tourist taxi association general secretary Vinay Nanoskar said that Vijai told them that they need to improve their services and start apps adding, “When we have given the fare rates, why is the government not putting up boards displaying rates at all the destinations? The government wants Ola and Uber and on the other hand they talk about Goykarponn.’’
When contacted after the meeting, Sardesai said that a discussion will be held on the issue on Wednesday during the CRZ meet. He said, “We are here to help the Goan taxi drivers, but they have to address the issue of technology and make commuter the king. I will speak in interest of Goans in the meeting, but at the same time, I cannot undermine the demand that the commuter should be treated as king and demand that new technology be brought in. We will discuss about it and arrive at a solution.’’
