Goa govt invokes ESMA against taxi operators ahead of strike

The Goa government today invoked Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) against taxi operators who have announced a strike tomorrow in the coastal state.
"ESMA has been invoked as taxi comes under essential services. Strict action would be taken against the taxi operators who are striking," a senior state Home department officer told PTI today.
However, the taxi unions will go ahead despite this move by the government.
Two unions - The All Goa Taxi Owners Association and South Goa Tourist Taxi Association have called for the strike tomorrow demanding a ban on rent a cab and related business.
Tourists are likely to face a difficult time as all the 15,000 taxis are expected to be off the road.

"We had issued notice to Superintendent of Police on April 3. After that we had also issued another notice to (state) government on April 5," Vinayak Nanoskar, General Secretary, All Goa Taxi Owners' Association told PTI today.

He said union members will not bow down to the threats of the state government and will continue with the strike.
Due to strike there will be no taxi service at the airport, railway stations, taxi stands and even hotels and taxi counters at all the star hotels would be closed.
"We regret the inconvenience caused to the tourists but we can't help," Nanoskar had said.