Cortalim MLA assures support to traditional taxi operators amid aggregator row

Team Goemkarponn

CORTALIM: A delegation of tourist taxi operators, primarily from South Goa, met Cortalim MLA Anton Vas on Monday morning, urging him to oppose the state government’s move to allow taxi aggregators to operate in Goa.

The delegation voiced concerns that the entry of aggregators would threaten their livelihood and undermine the traditional taxi business that has served tourists for generations. In response, MLA Vas advised the operators to submit a detailed written representation of their grievances so that he could raise the matter with the state government.

“The taxi operators have met me as their MLA and explained the difficulties they are facing. This is a traditional business of Goa, passed on from one generation to another,” said Vas. “These operators are often the first point of contact for tourists and play a key role in maintaining the welfare of Goa’s tourism industry.”

Vas acknowledged receiving an official gazette and guidelines from the delegation and noted that while they had already submitted a memorandum to the local panchayat, he had requested a copy for himself to take up the matter with the government.

“I will also place their suggestions before the government because most of the people involved in the taxi business are youth, and many of them are from the Cortalim constituency,” Vas said.

The taxi operators also expressed concern that some political leaders had labelled them as a ‘mafia’, which they strongly objected to. Responding to this, Vas said, “If any operator is found overcharging, people can lodge a complaint with the police. But calling them a mafia is unfair. Many of them are struggling — they get one trip every two or three days and are unable to pay their loan installments.”

Vas assured the delegation that he would personally raise their concerns with Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. “I have suggested that they call for a joint meeting with all MLAs so that we can present their grievances to the government unitedly as a delegation of legislators,” he added.