Goa CM Pramod Sawant tells cab drivers to join app-based taxi service

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday urged protesting tourist taxi operators to sign up for the state’s only app-based taxi service and warned of strict action against any further attacks on its drivers.

Speaking at the state Legislative Complex here, Sawant said that if tourists arriving in Goa were referred to as ‘Atithi Devo Bhavo’, the least that the government and people of Goa could offer them were taxi services at fair prices. “If we call the inbound tourist as ‘Atithi Devo Bhavo’, we have to offer him taxis at good rates,” Sawant said. Over the last two days, there have been several instances of GoaMiles’ — a private-public enterprise started by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation — drivers being roughed up by local taxi drivers.

The Anjuna-Caisua village panchayat in North Goa, in whose jurisdiction sevaral beaches are located, has also passed a resolution boycotting the GoaMiles taxis from its jurisdiction. Sawant implored all taxi drivers in Goa to sign up for GoaMiles, which he said, promised better returns, while also assuring full protection to app-based cab operators. (IANS)

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