Drivers' service to public lauded
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 14, 2012:
Offering of floral tributes and calls for sanity marked the 23rd Drivers' Day observances held today at Manipur Press Club, Major Khul and Sinam Sama Devi Town Hall, Chingmeirong.
The observance at Manipur Press Club was organised jointly by Manipur Drivers' Welfare Association (Tera Lukram Leirak) and All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers' Union (Sangakpham) while All Manipur Road Transport Drivers & Motor Workers' Union hosted the event at the Chingmeirong venue.
Principal Secretary (Transport) Ram Muivah, who attended the observance at Manipur Press Club as the chief guest acknowledged that in a land-locked State like Manipur which is yet to be connected with rail-line it is due to sacrifice by the drivers that the people are able to procure essential commodities.
Calling upon all concerned not to harass or assault drivers for they are the vital link between starvation and food security of the masses, he said it was only due to audacity and dedicated service by the drivers that the masses were able to possess essential commodities when economic blockade was imposed for nearly four months last year.
Under volatile environment and despite death of one driver as well as damage caused to several vehicles the drivers continued to serve the people during the tumultuous period, he added.
Meanwhile, as chief guest of the observance at Chingmeirong Commissioner (Labour) E Tomba Singh expressed that in recognition of the drivers' service and contribution to the State, Government of Manipur should extend housing, pension, medical and education schemes for the drivers and their family members.
AITUC secretary L Sotinkumar, who also spoke at the occasion appealed to every section of the society for ensuring safety of the drivers rather than making them the targets during agitation.
Earlier, delivering the keynote address Union general secretary Hamom Kulamani said Drivers' Day is being observed to commemorate a massive gathering of drivers at Koirengei Old Airfield on this day in 1990 to protest hostile elements frequently assaulting the drivers on the Imphal-Dimapur road.
He recounted that family members of one Brahmacharimayum Binoy Sharma of Nambol were thefirst in the State to receive ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakhs as per instruction of the Election Commission of India after Binoy got killed in an ambush on February 15, 1998 while engaged in election duty.
Pointing out that the Union had been contributing its mite for the welfare of the drivers and their families by approaching relevant authorities whenever a member is in distress, Kulamani also said the Union had been providing monthly pension of Rs 250 each to its retired members as well as to members with physical disabilities, suffered in accidents.
It is informed that the Union has lost 189 members in its 23 year of existence.
On the otherhand, Imphal Ukhrul Road Drivers' Union observed the day at the Sabungkhok residence of its secretary Thangjam Dhiren.
Union president Chongtham Biramangol graced the occasion as the chief guest.
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