Tension has surfaced once again among Goan taxi operators over the ongoing ONGC India Energy Week being held at Betul, after nearly 500 taxis from Karnataka and Maharashtra were allegedly brought in for the event, sidelining local operators.
Reacting strongly, Taxi Operators’ Leader Yogesh Govekar said that this move has deeply hurt the Goan taxi community, especially after prior assurances were given to the state leadership. He recalled that Goan taxi operators had earlier met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant along with local MLA Altone D’Costa, during which it was clearly conveyed that only Goan taxis would be engaged for the event.
“Despite this assurance, ONGC has now brought in nearly 500 vehicles from outside Goa. This is unacceptable and unfair to local drivers who were expecting employment during such a major international event,” Govekar stated.
He further added that taxi operators do not wish to create any disturbance or embarrassment, as the event is of international importance. “We do not want to spoil Goa’s image or create any law-and-order situation. That is why we are appealing respectfully to the government,” he said.
Govekar urged the Chief Minister and the state government to immediately intervene and ensure that ONGC honours the commitment made earlier, by giving preference to Goan taxi operators. He stressed that local drivers are fully capable of handling such events and should not be ignored in their own state.
The taxi operators have warned that if the issue is not resolved, they will be forced to reconsider their next course of action, while still maintaining that they wish to resolve the matter amicably in the interest of Goa’s reputation.
