Taxi drivers beg before tourists for alms

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-02-10
MARGAO - Anguished by the failure of the government to meet their demands, members of the Federation of Association of Tourist Taxi Owners and Drivers on Monday found a unique way to air their grievances – they begged before tourists for alms on the Benaulim beach with coconut shells.
Over 50 taxi drivers and owners gathered at the Benaulim beach and went around the beach begging before the tourists as they claimed that they reached a such a state that they have to beg to make a living.
The FATTOD president, Mr George Fernandes explained to the tourists that they are not against tourism, but are protesting against the government’s failure to meet their demands. In fact some of the tourists gave alms to the protesting taxi drivers, who shouted anti-government slogans. The protestors also alleged that the tour operators are charging exorbitant rates to the tourists, while the local taxi drivers are left without any means to earn their daily bread.
The FATTOD threatened to boycott the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections if the government failed to meet their long-pending demands. They warned that they would disrupt public meetings and campaigning by political parties along the coastal belt.
The protesting taxi drivers pointed out that the tour operators charge the tourists in dollars and pounds, which is much higher as compared to the rates charged by the taxi operators. They also demanded that illegal Russian reps should be stopped from operating in Goa as they take as much as 90 per cent of the revenue out of the country without paying any local taxes, which has its bearing on the state’s economy.
Pointing out that there is absolutely no social security to the taxi operators, they demanded that the benefits of social security schemes like ESI, old-age pension should also be extended to the taxi drivers and owners.
Mr Fernandes stated that the tourism sector has not benefited the Goans. Instead outsiders have derived the maximum benefit of the sector.