The decision was surprising as the elections to the Goa Legislative Assembly is just months away. Taxi owners have a sizeable voting number, and such anti-people decision at this juncture does not augur well for the BJP, which is already losing popularity.
The ruling dispensation has already hurt voter sentiment in many ways. In short, it would not be wrong to suggest that there is an anti-incumbency factor that will play a major role in this election.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
As more and more people are losing employment due to pandemics and lockdowns, the State government seems to be hell-bent on increasing the unemployment rate with its “heartless” decision of cancelling the taxi permits.
While the government had already announced that such an action was in the offing if teh taxi operators failed to fit the digital taxi meters, it was shocking to see it was implemented in reality during these testing times.
The decision was surprising as the elections to the Goa Legislative Assembly is just months away. The taxi owners have a sizeable voting number, and such anti-people decision at this juncture does not augur well for the BJP, which is already losing popularity.
The ruling dispensation has already hurt voter sentiment in many ways. In short, it would not be wrong to suggest that there is an anti-incumbency factor that will play a major role in this election.
The decision to cancel permits seems to be heartless for many reasons:
Due to the pandemic, teh taxi owners have no business. In fact, the government should have thought twice before deciding – where will they bring money to fit digital meters during this pandemic situation?
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho last week announced that the government is trying to make the digital meters free. So why cancel permits? Can’t they keep such orders in abeyance till a decision is reached?
Under Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, if the Home Department can bring out a proposal to waive off Rs 277 cr of the casino licence fee, what stops it from helping the “Bhumiputras” taxi drivers?
This is when every local business needs government to be taxis, pilots, vegetable vendors, and many more. Was such a step of cancelling permits and making the vehicles illegal justified?
It may be recalled that the same Transport Minister (migrant Minister) Mauvin Godinho had justified the Bhumiputra Adhikarini BIll, which was for the benefit of migrants. Then what stops him from helping the taxi drivers?
Moreover, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo seems to have now suddenly woken up from deep slumber demanding free fitment of taxi meters.
Why did he take so much time to make the demand? The fitment of the meter started long back, and the cancellation of permits also started long ago. So what was holding him back?
It seems like taxi owners have become used and throw material for the politicians – as the elections approach, everyone extends their support, but soon after, they are deserted.
The politicians in Goa seems to have become heartless creatures, who thrive on such situation and know how to use it for their advantage.
The decision only means that the BJP, which won the Zilla Parishad and municipal elections, seems overconfident. The party feels it would be a cakewalk for them in 2022.
The Assembly elections would be a different ball game altogether – the party needs to understand.