Vidhan Sabha is in session for last 2 wks till today. Various issues have been discussed including plastic eggs but Goa Government is afraid to discuss it's failure to launch Taxi app GOAMILES. We have debated the solution for more than a year in social media and the app was to be launched in May 2018. Besides Goa Government has openly committed subsidy expected to be around 10 crores from taxi payers for digital taxi meters but is afraid to openly discuss anything. What is the status of the app, how much subsidy is committed, what is the justification behind the subsidy and the fact that it is waste of money for the expensive, outdated and redundant meters. Given that Taxi is the foundation to the core business of Goa - Tourism, it is strange that the MLA's are afraid to discuss in Assembly.
As per the interview with Taxi association secretary, they have boycotted the app and just want to "watch the fun". Interview has banner of Goa Legislative Assembly session DAY 9 is going tangent on Speed Governors to divert attention with no statement or discussion from the MLAs. So far only 2,900 taxis out of 20,000 have registered for Goa Taxi app. The taxi drivers want to quote whatever fare comes to their mind and don't want to provide meter fare. They are against GTDC hiring third party vendor to design, promote and manage the app. This means they could always disagree and refuse to cooperate on any something or the other. It is clear from the interview that taxi mafia has managed to tame the shameless Government.
The so called NGO "Goa First" with vested interests in taxi business has alleged that Goa Government plans to destroy the taxi business by introducing Taxi Mobile App. This is totally against the public opinion.
Citizens for Change has warned time and again in the past that Taxi drivers will never agree to app and play games with whatever solution Government provides. None of the ruling or opposition MLA's are interested in bringing up the topic. Question is how many MLA's own taxis and just want to keep delaying decision and keep fooling the people.
Enough is enough and the Government should allow local Goans to register for taxi app and if that doesn't work, just allow open competition from aggregators like Ola Uber Meeru that will bring boom to the tourism industry on which half the population is dependent and will bring prosperity to Goa. It will also ensure consumers get the best price.
It is the fundamental right of every Indian as per Constitution of India - the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2007, follows the philosophy of modern competition laws. The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises and regulates combinations (acquisition, acquiring of control and M&A), which causes or likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition within India. This has been denied to Goans by the selfish elected representatives who are not sure of getting elected if they don’t allow the vote bank loot the entire population.
31 Jul 2018 Prime Exclusive Interview with Nanoskar, Secretary North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association
https://youtu.be/kfKYfFFgKZw
2 Aug 2018 'Goamiles' app will destroy taxi business, warns NGO
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/%E2%80%98Goamiles%E2%80%99-app-will-destroy-taxi-business-warns-NGO/134218.html
5 Jul 2018 Let’s watch the fun, taxi operators on Goamiles app
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa-News/Let%E2%80%99s-watch-the-fun-taxi-operators-on-Goamiles-app/132927.html
20 Jul 2018 GOVT PLANS TO GET OLA & UBER SERVICES IN GOA: SGTTO
https://www.prudentmedia.in/general/govt-plans-to-get-ola-amp-uber-services-in-goa-sgtto-.html
11 Jul 2018 Fitting of digital taxi meters to begin in December: Govt to begin in December: Govt to HC
https://m.timesofindia.com/city/goa/fitting-of-digital-taxi-meters-to-begin-in-dec-govt-to-hc/articleshow/64938401.cms
6 Jul 2018 Technology drives this ‘Radio Taxi’
http://www.navhindtimes.in/technology-drives-this-radio-taxi/
1 Jul 2018 Taxi drivers no longer need ‘commercial’ driving license
http://www.navhindtimes.in/taxi-drivers-no-longer-need-commercial-driving-licence/
28 Jun 2018 Cabbies want action against private players
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/cabbies-want-action-against-pvt-players/articleshow/64770295.cms