Agents collect ₹1 lakh bribes for rent-a-cab licences: Sardesai
In a serious accusation against the transport department, Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai on Saturday alleged that agents have been collecting Rs 1 lakh for rent-a-cab licences, which is then passed to transport minister Mauvin Godinho's personal assistant.
Sardesai said the transport department's sudden halt on rent-a-cab licences is a govt move to pre-empt scam revelations in the monsoon assembly session.
'The department has appointed agents at Margao, Panaji, and Vasco, and they are taking Rs 1 lakh in cash from each applicant for rent-a-cab licences. And this money was given to the transport minister's PA. I demand that the minister should be sacked. The agents are now refusing to return the money,' said Sardesai.
'One agent from Margao has taken money from 250 to 300 people... that is Rs 3 crore. Some vehicles have arrived and owners are paying premiums, but they have not received the letter from the transport department, so they can't get their cars. The agents claim that some of the money was given to the minister, and the minister says he is going to make a movie on Ram Mandir,' said Sardesai.
He said even the BJP state president, Damu Naik, has been speaking against the transport department's policies.
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Responding to questions about the fissures between Congress and GFP, Sardesai said both parties could have prepared better for the monsoon session.
'Complete coordination did not happen, and I cannot say what will happen on the floor of the house, but we would like to work together so that we can highlight people's concerns as much as possible,' said Sardesai.
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