Taxi drivers 'gherao' Luizinho over Mopa NT News Service Margao, Feb 1: Members of the All-Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association today gheraoed the Education Minister, Mr Luizinho Faleiro during his visit to the Varca panchayat and demanded that he should make his stand clear on two issues - the proposed Mopa airport and fare meters for tourist taxis. The minister was visiting the panchayat to distribute cheques to beneficiaries of the Dayanand Social Security Scheme, when around 50-odd taxi drivers gheraoed Mr Faleiro.
It is understood that Mr Faleiro told the GOTTA members that he would abide by the decision of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh on Dabolim airport. "Dabolim is already an international airport and its status will continue," the minister assured the taxi drivers. The Education Minister informed them that he had already spoken about Dabolim airport to both the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee. "Further, we have a sanctioned amount of Rs 400 crore that will be utilised for upgradating Dabolim aerodrome," he informed adding that the airport would be able to operate for 24 hours thereafter. He disclosed that he was always for Dabolim and would not play with the emotions of the people. On the issue of installing fare meters for tourist taxis, Mr Faleiro stated that he would discuss the matter with the Transport Minister, Mr Pandurang Madkaikar and other cabinet colleagues.
