By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 14: The All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) has decided not to attend the meeting convened by the Director of Tourism, Cyril V Diengdoh on Tuesday.
In a letter addressed to Diengdoh, AMKTTA president Ricaldison Dohling said they have unanimously decided that the leaders of the association will not attend the meeting as currently structured.
He said the organisation was the first to apprise the state government of the challenges faced by tourist taxi owners, operators, and drivers in Meghalaya.
According to him, the other stakeholders do not need to be included in the meeting as the concerns highlighted “are specific to our sector and related only to the operation of tourist vehicles” on the roads.
“Therefore, we find it inappropriate and unnecessary to involve stakeholders such as tour operators, guides, or hotels, who have no direct connection to our core issues. Vehicles operate on the roads, not inside hotels or tour operators’ offices, and this meeting should reflect that fact,” Dohling said.
He said that as the primary stakeholder, only the AKMTTA and other relevant organisations such as the HTTA and MTTA should be called for a meeting specific to taxi operators.
Dohling said the AKMTTA and the other taxi associations should attend the meeting and address the issue as they have spearheaded the demand for implementing a policy related to transporting tourists.
“We urge your office to reconsider the composition of these meetings and ensure that future discussions are limited to tourist drivers and taxi operators. Including other stakeholders only dilutes the discussion and delays any meaningful resolution to the real issues,” he said.
He said the AKMTTA will not participate in meetings involving unrelated parties until the concerns raised are addressed.