Greeva Garg –
The State Government informed the Bombay High Court at Goa that the tourists and locals are being overcharged by taxis in the state, and stated that it is a ‘horrible situation’ where ‘Cab fare is often higher than the Airfare’.
The Goa Government strongly opposed any differential treatment to the cabs, which it said, allegedly fleece tourists and sometimes, even charge them higher than the flight tickets bought to reach Goa.
In the Writ Petition filed by the Cavelossim Tourist Taxi Operators Association, they argued that tourist taxi operators should not be treated on par with regular taxis that ferry people from one location to another.
“There is no rationale on insisting that tourist vehicles be fitted with compulsory digital fare meters as there is no such requirement in the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, and the Rules framed thereunder of fitting compulsory fare meters to the tourist taxi vehicles,” the association told the High Court.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam stated that, “Cab charges whatever they want. Some regulation has to be there, it has to be controlled otherwise they don’t have any limit. Forget about tourists, what they do to local people while charging, it’s impossible to pay.”
The Bench comprising Justice MS Sonak and Justice MS Jawalkar declined a stay on the government order, ruling that “No case is made out for grant of any interim relief, save and except to observe that the compliances can be without prejudice.”
The court further said that the date has now been notified and, therefore, notices are issued to the petitioners to comply.