Goa, Oct. 2 -- After months of protests, petitions, and repeated appeals to the State government, Goa's taxi and bus operators have finally received part payment of their long-pending fuel subsidy.

The disbursement - covering the period from June 2018 to March 2020 - was made following a court order and sustained pressure from transport unions, according to Sudip Tamankar, general secretary of the All Goa Private Bus Owners Association. He confirmed that dues for operators have been cleared, with funds reaching even those who had taken loans to keep their vehicles running. Around 300-350 crore is expected to be released under this exercise.

While the payment has brought some relief, operators say uncertainties remain. Future disbursemen...