Daijiworld Media Network: - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 31: Food delivery gig workers in Goa are set to come under closer government scrutiny, with authorities preparing a comprehensive campaign to verify their health status, police records and the legality of two-wheelers used for deliveries.

The campaign is likely to begin after Ganesh Chaturthi and will also bring food delivery platforms under greater regulatory scrutiny as the government seeks tighter oversight of the rapidly expanding gig economy.

The issue was discussed at a senior-level meeting attended by Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, Transport Secretary Mahesh Kumar Shambhu and Transport Director Arvind Khutkar, reliable sources said. The matter came under focus following concerns over the recruitment of several non-Goans into the food delivery sector and the use of vehicles registered outside Goa.

During the meeting, the minister reportedly raised concerns over the absence of health checks and police verification for delivery personnel. The Transport Department has therefore decided to take the lead in the exercise while involving officials from the Police and Health departments.

The Health Department is expected to verify whether food delivery personnel have undergone mandatory medical examinations to establish that they are free from communicable diseases. Officials are likely to check whether workers possess valid health cards and whether the cards contain records of periodic health examinations.

The government is also expected to examine the police verification status of delivery workers, particularly because they routinely enter residential premises while making deliveries. Food delivery companies may be asked to maintain records containing workers' identities, addresses and police verification details.

Another major area of scrutiny will be the large number of two-wheelers registered outside Goa that are being used by delivery personnel. The Transport Department is expected to examine vehicle registration details, how long the vehicles have been in Goa, the manner in which they are being used and the documents held by their riders.

Officials, however, will have to distinguish between vehicles registered in other states that are being used legally and those violating registration requirements. Sources explained that under Section 46 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a vehicle validly registered in one state can generally be used across India.

However, under Section 47, if a vehicle is kept in another state for more than 12 months, its owner is required to apply for a new registration mark in that state.

Therefore, an out-of-state registered motorcycle is not automatically illegal in Goa. However, continued use of such a vehicle beyond the permitted period without complying with the re-registration requirements could invite action, sources said.

The proposed campaign is expected to bring greater regulatory oversight to food delivery operations in Goa while focusing on the health, verification and vehicle compliance of delivery workers.