“The current protest by taxi operators in Pernem appears to be politically motivated”
— Dr Pramod Sawant
Chief Minister
Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: While rejecting taxi operators’ demand to close down the Goa Miles counter at Manohar International Airport, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today said that he has agreed to 5 of the Pernem taxi operators’ demands out of 6.
CM Sawant today held a meeting with Pernem taxi operators to discuss their demands pertaining especially to Manohar International Airport.
“The Taxi operators came to me with their 6 demands. I have accepted five of them; their demands to shut down the Goa Miles counter at Manohar International cannot be accepted” said Sawant.
He further said that the government cannot agree to that request to shut down the counter. “Based on this I requested them to call off their strike,’ he added.
Sawant said his government has addressed the concerns of taxi operators in a timely manner. “However, the current protest by taxi operators in Pernem appears to be politically motivated,” he said.
The CM said that his government remains committed to fulfilling the genuine demands of the tourism industry.
The taxi operators from Manohar International Airport at Mopa have been protesting since Thursday, pressing for their various demands, including complete stoppage of illegal transport at this greenfield airport, operated by GMR Goa International Airport Limited.
The agitation was expected to be resolved on Friday afternoon after CM Sawant invited a delegation of taxi operators to meet him at his official residence at Altinho in Panaji. However, around 25 agitators went to meet the CM but were denied permission. Officials asked them to come with 8-10 members, said Chetan Kamat, a leader of the taxi operators.
The protesters demanded that the entire delegation be allowed to meet the CM or else the meeting should be cancelled, he said.
Kamat told reporters outside the CM’s residence that since the entire delegation was not allowed to participate in the meeting, they would be returning to Pernem in North Goa, where their agitation is underway.
