JAMMU, Sept 27: The Apni Party has urged Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to announce a special financial package for the drivers and conductors in the transport sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Auto and taxi drivers are among the worst sufferers due to COVID-19 pandemic situation. They are not able to do their jobs as the transport business has witnessed decline from the last seven months and there is no hope in near future about revival of the normal business activities,” said Manjit Singh, Former Minister and Provincial President, Apni Party in Jammu.
The Former Minister was speaking before a delegation of auto and taxi drivers’ representatives who called on him through Aijaz Kazmi and Sardar Sheetal Singh at Gandhi Nagar office of the Party.
The delegation highlighted various issues of the drivers being faced by them in the ongoing situation of COVID in which they said “There are remote chances of resumption of normal life in view of increase in deaths and positive cases.”
“In this situation, the Govt should stand with the drivers and conductors and give them financial support. As the drivers and conductors are associated with the unorganized sector, the Labour Dept should initiate a process of registration of all the drivers and conductors whether they drive auto, mini-buses, taxis, tractor, tipper, truck and others means of public transport or transportation of construction material so that they can be provided all Govt assistance,” said Manjit Singh.
He said that these people are the backbone of the transport sector which has witnessed the worst ever period in Jammu and Kashmir history and the Govt should come in front to help them.
“The Govt should consider demands of the transporters and announce a comprehensive package for them. The transport must be revived in a planned manner in coordination with the operators and Unions representing the drivers and operators. The LG must hold an interaction with the representatives of the transporters to resolve their issues,” said Manjit Singh.
Speaking on the occasion, Aijaz Kazmi said that the life of transporters, drivers and conductors has become miserable and they are not able to meet the needs of their families.
“Majority of drivers have become jobless and they have pinned hope on the Govt to redress their grievances,” said Sardar Sheetal Singh.
Singh said that the transport will revive in J&K only if the Govt takes a serious step to end the suffering of the people associated with the business supplying essential goods and passengers from one place to another.
On this occasion, Bodh Raj Bhagat, Shanker Singh Chib, Vaibhav Mattoo, Raj Kumar Lalotra, Jagmeet Singh Bali, Sohan Singh Soni, Tariq Leo, Tajinder Singh Sodhi, Inayat Parveez, Raqeeq Ahmed Khan among others were present on the occasion.