The state government committee constituted to discuss issues concerning the tourist taxis in the state.
The meeting was chaired by Director Tourism Department, CVD Diengdoh, and which was attended by tour operators, hotel owners, tourist taxi associations, tour guides and representatives from the office of the Deputy Commissioner and District Transport Officer, East Khasi Hills district amongst others.
The notable absentees were members of the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) which had rejected the invitation to the meeting over a disagreement as to which parties should attend.
He said that this was the first meeting of the committee and those who did not attend it will be invited in subsequent meetings.
According to Diengdoh one of the terms of reference of the committee is to consult all tourism stakeholders.
Diengdoh informed that the main issue discussed at the meeting was the use of private vehicles from Assam to ferry tourists to the tourist spots in the state.
“The suggestions were varied, we are examining each and every suggestion,” he said.
On the issue of private vehicles driving tourists into the state, Diengdoh said that he directed the District Transport Office to check such vehicles.
“In fact we asked the associations if they had any information please give it to the District Transport Office,” he said.
Diengdoh said that the committee has asked the stakeholders to give their suggestions in writing.
He said that the three taxi associations which attended the meeting were, Meghalaya Tourist Transporters Association, All Shillong Tourist Taxi Drivers United Organisation and Khasi Hills Tourist Taxi Association.