Arrival of car rental counter at Goa airport sparks protest
The families of 350 taxi drivers demonstrated at Dabolim Airport, Goa, against the arrival of a car rental counter. The drivers claim that the the Ministry of Tourism, has bypassed the state government and Department of Transport - and insist no permission has been granted by these bodies. The counter has been shut down until the issue has been resolved.

VASCO: The yellow black taxi cab operators under the banner of United Taximen Union on Wednesday opposed the car rental counter by bringing their families to the Dabolim airport to protest.

The family members of 350 yellow black cab operators protested the move of the Airport Authority of India to open the car rental counter which they claim to be approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Speaking to reporters during the protest, UTU president Sanjay Naik said that the Airport Authority of India bypassed the state government by opening the car rental service counter at Dabolim airport. “We have heard from the four legislators of Mormugao taluka that there was no permission granted by the state government or by the department of transport to open the car rental counter at Dabolim airport”.

“We therefore urge Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to intervene in the matter and give justice to the families of the yellow black taxi cab operators who are operating at Dabolim airport for the last four decades”, said Naik.

When contacted airport director Bhupesh Chand Hans Negi was not available for his reaction on the car rental counter.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Panchayat Mauvin Godinho on Wednesday said that he had discussed the matter pertaining to the opening of a new car rental service counter with the Minister for Transport Ramakrishna Dhavalikar. Godinho said that the Transport Minister has claimed that no permission has been obtained or issued from the transport department or by any agency to commission the taxi counter at Dabolim airport.

Godinho disclosed that there are no legal standings with the opening of the car rental counter and there was no consultation with the state government on the matter. “I have directed the airport director to shut the car rental service counter till the issue is sorted out”, said Godinho

“The state government will take a decision in consultation with the concerned minister and local legislators, whether the new taxi counter could be functional within the framework of law by legally examining the matter”, added Godinho.