With meters on, taxi issue resolved: says CM Sawant

Goemkarponn desk
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today said that the state cabinet has approved free-of-cost digital meters to all taxi operators in the state, after which taxi fares are to be at par across Goa.
After the Cabinet meeting, CM Sawant said that the state government has made digital taxi meters compulsory for all taxis operating in the state and state government to provide meters free of cost.
“Govt will give free digital meters, which are made compulsory for all taxis in the state. Also, the app-based taxi provider Goa Miles too have to install meters,” said CM Sawant.
He also said that taxi badges and 15 years domicile of Goa is compulsory to avail license and drive a taxi.
“Once taxi meters are installed, all the rates of taxi fares will be at par, and thus the issue of taxi operators is over.”
Sawant also said that installing these digital meters is compulsory in the State, meaning all the taxi owners have to install the same.
He also said that the government would reimburse the cost of installing the digital meters to the taxi owners as per the earlier system. However, some additional costs like subscription and annual maintenance fees were not included.
“Now, the taxi owners will not have to pay the installation amount and get it reimbursed later,” he added.
CM said that all taxi drivers will have to possess a 15-year domicile certificate.
“We received complaints stating taxis from out of the State are doing business in Goa; hence we have made 15-year domicile mandatory,” said Sawant.