Panaji (Goa)  Shiv Sena has extended its full support to the Taxi Owners who have been put to harassment by State government, often with the petty reasons.

Sena spokesman Rakhi Prabhudesai Naik said that state government instead of protecting this industry which gives 100 per cent employment to Goans has been attempting to discourage it.

“The Manohar Parrikar-led government which claims itself to be bound to the narrative ‘Goen, Goenkar and Goenkarponn’ stands completely exposed after they failed to address the issues of taxi owners on the first day of their strike. While thousands o f taxi owners were standing in the heat at Azad Maidan, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was busy attending meetings at a five star hotel,” she claimed.

Naik said “We appreciate the taxi owners who also exposed the double standards of BJP MLA Michael Lobo and Goa Forward Party leaders including Vijai Sardesai who went at the Azad Maidan only to be rejected by the crowd.”

“The melodrama started by certain section of the state government pretending to be supporting the taxi operators will not work for long term as MGP leader and Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar has openly given warning to bring in Ola and Uber kind of service in the State.”

“Tourist Taxi industry of Goa has been one of the oldest one in the State whose origin can be traced with the beginning of the tourism industry. Majority of the taxi owners have their vehicle as the only source of income. The person like Dhavalikar who has been outrightly power hungry will not understand the plight of these families.”

“Sena completes stands by the demands of taxi operators and the cadres of Sena will  support the cause. We demand that Parrikar should walk in at Azad Maidan and have direct dialogue with the agitators rather than sending his proxies to calm down the strike.

If State government has no intention to solve the genuine problems raised by Goenkars then it should stop calling as the government of Goen, Goenkar and Goenkarponn.”