Goemkarponn desk
PORVORIM: Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has supported an App-based taxi service on the floor of the House while stating that app-based taxi is promoted in the interest of Goa, Goans and the larger public.
“The aggregator, Goa Miles is operating 20 per cent lower than the notified rate. You also have Goa’s app which is notified and will go through an audit, if it lowers the rate.” We have to decide whether we want to go ahead, want to go in reverse or stay at the same place. Whether we want to adopt the modern technology,” said Godinho
He further said that the government was not forcing taxi operators to join Goa Miles or Goa Taxi App.
“You are free to design your own App. I am ready to fund the App. I have heard that there is a discussion going on between some taxi operators with Uber so the current App has failed. I am not against Uber, you can bring any App.” he added.
Godinho said that if there are 18,000 taxis then we should have earned revenue of Rs 100 crore on GST and TDS. The business generated by tourist taxis, rent-a-bike, and tourist taxis will be to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore.”
As far as industry is concerned, the Minister said that one big worry is that local employment which we like to see, which is 60 per cent is not happening.
“I would like to state that the Karnataka government spoke about 80 per cent jobs for locals and there was such an uproar from the assembly. Karnataka government had to keep everything in abeyance: he said
The Minister said that he has directed the Investment Promotion Board and IDC that when we give plots, examine how locals can be employed in those projects.” “80 per cent of jobs to the locals in industry is not possible constitutionally.”
Godinho said: “In the next 6 months, we are going to introduce an AI-based facial recognition system in all the panchayats to keep attendance. Goa Electronic Limited will develop the system. This will be taken up under the Digital Goa campaign”.
