AKMTA stage protest at Khyndailad, demands govt to formulate policy for local taxis

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 26, 2025

Local tourist taxi drivers under the banner of the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTA) on Tuesday staged a sit-in-demonstration to pressure the state government to formulate a policy that prioritizes local taxis in tourist destinations. 

Speaking to reporters, the association’s president, Recaldinus Dohling, expressed frustration over the government’s inaction despite repeated meetings and assurances.

He said the association for the past two years, has been demanding that the government come up with a policy to restrict tourist taxis from outside the state from operating in the state’s tourist spots.

Dohling said the association has already attended meetings with ministers and officials, but these meetings have yielded no satisfactory results, leading to the decision to stage a protest.

“We had also met the chief minister on June 25. We were very optimistic as he has assured that government will soon invite the tourist taxi drivers but now two months have passed yet there is no sign of the government calling us for discussion.”

The president of the association also criticized the government for being quick in coming up with a policy for private vehicle owners but neglects the interests of local taxi drivers, who infact are paying higher taxes.

“We urge the government to listen to our suggestions and take concrete actions to address our concerns,” Dohling said while warning that if the government fails to address their concerns, they may be forced to come up with their own rules and policies.

“The government should not be bias. If it is ready to come up with a policy for private vehicles then it should also be ready to formulate a policy that will address our problem,” he added.

The association has questioned the effectiveness of the PRIME scheme, which provides vehicles to local drivers, citing instances of confiscation of vehicles within a short period.

“Over 53 drivers were sanctioned with vehicles under the PRIME scheme. However, they have informed me that their vehicles have been confiscated within 2-3 months. I want to ask if this is what the government called help given to the local drivers of the state. During our meeting with the CM, I had stated that such scheme are not benefitting us and that instead the government should come up with a policy to ensure only local tourist taxis are allowed to take tourists to the different tourist destinations,” Dohling stated.