Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Taxi unions across Goa on Saturday declared a statewide agitation against the draft app-based taxi policy proposed by the state Transport Department, calling it an attempt to “privatise livelihoods” and demanding its immediate withdrawal.
Union leaders announced plans for mass protests, including marches to the residences of MLAs, the Chief Minister’s Office, and the State Secretariat, if the draft policy is not scrapped. They accused the government of favouring private aggregators at the cost of traditional taxi operators.
“This is a do-or-die situation for us. We are ready to go on a hunger strike. If our livelihoods are taken away, we are ready to die,” said one taxi owner, visibly emotional. “आमी तूमचे, आमका भायर उडो नाकात – We are not mafia, but the government has labelled us as such,” he added.
Union representatives have urged the government to withdraw the current draft and initiate fresh consultations with all stakeholders. They also expressed willingness to apologise if proven wrong during discussions, indicating openness to dialogue.
