Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jul 7: The Goa government on Monday announced a comprehensive welfare package for the state's traditional motorcycle taxi pilots, including a 50 per cent subsidy on electric bikes, health insurance coverage under the PM Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, and monthly financial assistance for senior pilots.
Launching the new Majhe Driver App, an exclusive digital booking platform for traditional motorcycle taxi pilots, chief minister Pramod Sawant said the government would provide a 50 per cent subsidy for the purchase of electric motorcycles.
"The subsidy will be available to traditional motorcycle taxi pilots using old bikes and registered with the association. Beneficiaries will be selected based on seniority. The government is also working on a mechanism that could allow pilots to pay their share of the cost in instalments," he said.
Transport minister Mauvin Godinho clarified that the revised electric vehicle scheme for heavier electric motorcycles would remain voluntary, allowing pilots to opt in if they found it beneficial.
Sawant also announced that motorcycle taxi pilots would eventually be covered under the PM Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana through the Directorate of Transport by paying an annual premium of Rs 260.
In another welfare initiative, the chief minister said the Dayanand Samajik Suraksha Yojana would be extended from Aug 1 to all motorcycle taxi pilots aged 50 years and above. Eligible beneficiaries will receive a monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 after submitting the required application.
The announcements were made during the launch of the state's first organised app-based booking platform exclusively for motorcycle taxi services.
Sawant sought to allay concerns over the initiative, emphasising that joining the app would be entirely voluntary.
"Those who wish to participate can do so, while others may continue operating from their taxi stands," he said, adding that attempts to politicise the initiative were creating unnecessary confusion.
He further announced that pilots without smartphones would be provided free devices by the company behind the app to ensure that no eligible operator is excluded from the digital platform.
Describing motorcycle taxi pilots as "tourist ambassadors", Sawant said they had earned the trust of both tourists and local residents by providing dependable transport services across Goa, including in remote areas.
The chief minister also announced a crackdown on illegal motorcycle taxi operations, stating that private motorcycles would no longer be allowed to carry passengers commercially.
"The Police and the Transport Department will take action against violators. Vehicles operating illegally as motorcycle taxis will be seized," he said, adding that the government would also introduce a grievance redressal mechanism to address complaints.
Sawant further said the government would revisit issues concerning rental cars and rent-a-bike services, noting that new registrations of rental vehicles had already been suspended as part of efforts to safeguard the livelihood of traditional motorcycle taxi pilots.