Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: North Goa rent-a-car companies have pleaded with the state government to change its decision about stopping the issuance, replacement, and renewal of new rent-a-cab licenses.
The State Transport Authority (STA) has decided to halt any such approvals until further notice, taxi operators who came to the Transport Department on Wednesday to renew or replace their permits were told. The impacted operators voiced their displeasure, claiming that no announcement about the decision had been made public.
“Speed governors and VLTD have been put in our cars. We are applying for a replacement for the second time. “We also have EMIs to pay,” Nitin Kunkalekar, a taxi driver, stated.
Nitin Narvekar, another operator, claimed that they are being hounded even though they are meeting all government-mandated regulations. “We cooperated with the directive to cease airport operations. However, he continued, “our permissions are still not being renewed.”
“Our vehicles now have VLTD and speed governors. This is our second application for a replacement. We too have EMIs to pay,” said cab driver Nitin Kunkalekar.
Another operator, Nitin Narvekar, asserted that despite adhering to all government-mandated procedures, they are being harassed. “We complied with the order to shut down the airport. He added, though, that “our permissions are still not being renewed.”
If the Transport Department does not revoke its notice within eight days, the North Goa Rent-A-Cab Association has responded by threatening to enforce the law itself. The Deputy Director of Transport has received a charter of demands from association leaders.
