Daijiworld News Media (SR)

Panaji/Saligao, May 6: In a strict warning to taxi drivers in Goa, chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that the taxi unions do not have the right to disturb the law and order in the state and if they do the government would not tolerate such acts. “We will not tolerate anybody taking law and order in their hands. The taxi unions cannot obstruct GoaMiles and they should not,” he said.

Power minister Nilesh Cabral also announced that the government is going to rationalise taxi prices in the coming months by doing away with the current practice of charging customers half the return fare.

Advising taxi drivers in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawanth said “Instead of objecting to GoaMiles by blocking roads and taxis, they should give the app a try for a month. The government is giving them the right rate through GoaMiles. I request all taxi drivers to join GoaMiles for a month and if it is not affordable, then they can come to discuss things with us.”

“The one-and-a-half time fare is an old concept which we are going to change,” said Cabral, who played an important role in the app’s rollout. “Our GoaMiles App has become a meter by itself. We have told the CM we are not going to listen to any taxi unions,” he said.

Taxi operators affiliated to All Goa Taxi Owners Association (AGTOA) held a protest at the Poriat ground in Calangute, demanding immediate withdrawal of GoaMiles. They claim that the service is affecting the business of local taxi operators.