Govt halts fresh permits for rent-a-car services
Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said Goa police have seized 250 private vehicles that were being illegally rented out and referred the cases to the Transport Department for cancellation of licences of the rent-a-car operators involved.
He also said the government has stopped issuing new licences for rent-a-car operations.
“If anyone has paid money to a third party to obtain a rent-a-car licence, they should file a complaint. A detailed inquiry will be conducted,” said Sawant during Zero Hour, while responding to a matter raised by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai.
Sardesai alleged that nearly 200 people from his constituency had paid Rs 1 lakh each to an agency to obtain taxi or rent-a-car permits. He alleged that when they sought a refund, the agency claimed the money had been given to a minister’s PA.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho denied the allegation. “We had stopped issuing permissions long ago. Later, we found that some department officials were granting licences through franchises. That practice was stopped immediately once it came to light,” said Godinho. “The allegation is not correct. Give a complaint, I will take action,” he said.
Sardesai said the issue has created fear among youth from economically weaker sections.
He said they feel cheated in the name of permits.
He alleged that the agency involved has collected crores from across the state.
Sawant said that in 2018, the government had allowed permits to be issued via franchise, but admitted it was a wrong decision.
“Franchise holders were issuing licences, which was not right,” he said.
Sawant said the rent-a-car concept has been stopped entirely. “These operators do not have their own parking space and park vehicles on public roads. They were also renting out private vehicles. Police have seized 250 such cars. This illegal business has caused GST and revenue loss to the state government,” said the Chief Minister.
