Goa’s tourist taxi operators who are more famous for their high and arbitrary fares than an efficient service, ended a two-day strike they had called against the introduction of radio cabs. They have, however, threatened to go on strike again within as soon as the next day if their demands were not met by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Speaking to reporters, spokesperson for the striking taxi drivers said that they would not allow private radio taxi operations and act against illegal taxi services started by foreigners, they would go on strike again.
“We are giving Chief Minister an ultimatum of 24 hours to agree to our requests,” Bandodkar said. Over 7,000 tourist taxis were off Goa’s roads since Monday morning over the two above mentioned demands, in a strike which turned violent and prompted police to fire tear gas in the melee.
“Our demands were simple. But we did not expect the police to attack us with lathis and fire tear-gas shells on us. Our strike has continued for the second day as a protest against the police action against us last night,” Vinayak Nanoskar, general secretary of North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association, said.
The striking taxi-men’s main demand is to stop the operation of Ola Cabs, a radio taxi service, which was to start in Goa and prompt action against foreigners illegally running taxi and tour services.
Parrikar told reporters at a press briefing at the state Secretariat that he had called for a meeting with the taxi drivers on Wednesday and that the entire issue could be resolved in a matter of a week. “But the strike has affected tourism. The taxi drivers should rein in their conduct. They should command and not demand business,” Parrikar said.