PANAJI: Terming it a “ploy to avoid compliance” of the court’s direction to fix digital taxi meters, the high court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by the Karmali taxi association which was expressing difficulties in fixing the meters during the pandemic and had sought more time.
The fixing of digital meters “cannot be avoided not only by the taxi owners, but also by the government,” the division bench held.
“Now that the government is implementing the law and our directions, the actions of the government cannot be thwarted based on such frivolous pleas,” the court stated.
During the hearing, when the counsel for the petitioner told the court that the department hasn’t taken cognisance of the taxi association’s grievances raised, the bench asked, “Are you seriously suggesting that every taxi person’s individual grievances should be considered then only digital meters should be fitted?”
The association’s counsel Nihal Kamat stated that it is not challenging the government’s orders and that it is ready to fit the meters, but only asked for extension of time to fit the meters and for proper guidelines to be framed by the government.
The high court asked it to comply with the directions first.
The petitioner stated that fitting the meters is not practical during the pandemic and that the tourism industry has collapsed and that “confusing” statements are being made by ministers that the meters would be provided free of cost, and that they wouldn’t have to pay.
“You cannot avoid it,” the bench told the petitioners. The court said Covid couldn’t be an excuse for not fitting the meters and said that Covid seems to be coming in the way when fixing digital meters, but not when doing business.
The court said it will go against its own orders if it starts entertaining petitions like this and added that it has “no intention” of doing so after it has been directing the government to comply with its orders.
The petitioner said the association would comply if guidelines are framed, but the bench stated that “the law is very clear”.
