Goa govt introduces Blue Cab service at Manohar International Airport
Panaji (PTI): The Goa government has announced the introduction of Blue Cab service at the Manohar International Airport in the state from Thursday.
An IndiGo flight from Hyderabad will be the first flight to land at the newly-built airport located at Mopa on Thursday.
Ahead of the first arrival, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant held a meeting with Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho in Panaji on Wednesday to oversee the preparations.
Talking to reporters later, Godinho said the state government has decided to introduce Blue Cabs outside the airport.
"These cabs would be exclusively owned by locals of Pernem taluka where the airport is located," he said.
In addition to Blue Cabs, the airport will also have taxis affiliated to Goa Miles App and also those registered under the state-run Goa Taxi App, he said.
Godinho said local taxi operators had demanded Yellow and Black Taxi permits at the airport, which was not possible, so the state government decided to introduce Blue Cabs for them.
Khaunte said more than 1,100 drivers have registered themselves under the Goa Taxi App while more are coming on board.
Goa Taxi App is currently allowing taxi operators to join the queue at the airport. Booking through the app is not happening at this point, he said.
The airport at Mopa in Goa was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2022.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Justice A.P. Shah terms 'One Nation, One Election' unconstitutional
New Delhi: Former Delhi High Court Chief Justice A.P. Shah has told a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) that the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) Bill is unconstitutional and violates democratic principles and the federal structure, sources said.
Justice Shah, who is also a former chairman of the Law Commission, submitted a 12-page report while deposing before the JPC on Monday (March 18), The New Indian Express reported. He raised concerns over the bill, particularly regarding the power it grants to the Election Commission to recommend postponing state assembly elections.
Assembly elections must be held for full term: Justice Shah
Justice Shah stated that assembly elections should be held for a full five-year term and expressed skepticism over the claim that simultaneous elections would significantly reduce public expenditure. When asked about alternatives to the bill, he said he would present his views to the committee at a later stage.
Harish Salve defends the bill
Senior advocate Harish Salve also appeared before the JPC and supported the bill, arguing that it aligns with constitutional requirements.
ONOE bills introduced amid opposition resistance
Despite strong opposition citing threats to federalism and the basic structure doctrine, the bills facilitating 'One Nation, One Election' were introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2023.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 after a division vote. The introduction was approved with 269 votes in favour and 198 against.
The bills were subsequently referred to a JPC for further examination.
_vb_06.jpeg)
_vb_08.jpeg)