Rickshaw pullers' advisory board in line
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 27 2011: Objective of All Manipur Rickshaw Drivers and Pullers' Welfare Association to form an advisory board has been approved by various eminent personalities who attended a meeting at GM Hall today.

The meeting was held with Commerce and Industries Minister Y Erabot Singh and Association president Th Basanta Singh as the chief guest and functional president respectively.

Presenting the key-note address, Association general secretary MM Gaffar Shah said the Association was formed on april 17, 2000 which paved the way in the allotment of parking slots for the rickshaw pullers at 65 locations on July 22 the same year.

Consequent to an order of the Transport Department the number of parking slots at different places of the capital district increased to 82, recounted the general secretary who also highlighted a number of crucial issues for which the Association members extended physical support.

Gaffar mentioned that rickshaw pullers had been taking out protest rallies in support of Irom Chanu Sharmila's campaign for scrapping of the draconian AFSPA and various other issues that concern the masses.

Emphasising that formation of an advisory board has become an indispensable component for the Association to contribute their mite to various issues, he also expressed hope that constitution of board would facilitate in achieving the goal for overall welfare of the rickshaw pullers/drivers.

As chief guest, Y Erabot said along with the Labour Department preparing annual report on the number of rickshaw pullers/drivers in the State since formation of the Association in 2000 there had been sustained effort to provide health care amenities to all bonafide members of the Association.

He cited non-registration of rickshaws plying at Imphal, Thoubal (kakching) and Bishnupur (Moirang) district as an impediment in handing over official documents to the rickshaw pullers.

The Commerce and Industries Minister also exuded confidence that with the formation of the advisory board all relevant official procedures could be streamlined which will ultimately ensure in the expeditious dispensing of various welfare measures.

While exhorting the rickshaw pullers to inculcate sense of dignity of labour and to contribute their mite in social issues, former Member of Manipur Human Rights Commission (Retd) Lt Col RK Rajendra Singh drew the attention of traffic police authorities to prevail upon it personnel that rather than harassing rickshaw pullers they should be guided in a proper manner to follow traffic norms.Among others, the meeting was also attended by advocate Md Heshamuddin and advocate E Amujao .

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