Drivers' roles elucidated on Drivers' Day
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, January 14 2018: The 29th Drivers' Day was observed today at the Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT), Khuman Lampak with CAF & PD, Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Karam Shyam as chief guest.

President of AMRTD & MWU, S Manglem Singh presided over the function while Transport Commissioner M Lakshmikumar Singh; president of AITUC Dr M Nara and retd Senior Superintendent of Police, Govt of Nagaland, P Sona-mani Singh attended the function as guests of honour.

The dignitaries and other invitees paid floral tributes to the photos of the 242 deceased drivers who lost their lives in the service of the public.

Drivers' roles elucidated on Drivers' Day

Karam Shyam said that drivers should be proud of their dedicated services despite facing various problems, and respect themselves.

He said that people of the State depend solely on the drivers.

"All the drivers of the State should unite and merge into one body or a labour union.

By doing so, they can place their demands in a better way and the Government will listen to their grievances and take proper measures to redress their woes" he said.

"I will try my best to allocate a proper land for building an office for the drivers in Imphal East as Imphal West is congested", he assured.

He said that the Government has its own laws regarding land allotment and any problem regarding land allotment can be solved by negotiation and discussion with the concerned officials.

The Minister donated a sum of Rs 20,000 for the drivers' welfare.

Dr Nara said "We need to support the drivers not just by showing sympathy." He said that it is crucial to increase the present wages of the drivers (not less than Rs 600 per day) and solve issues relating to drivers' safety besides setting up a separate driving school for them to avoid hazardous accidents.

He appealed to the Government to address matters concerning welfare of the drivers, that have been overlooked so far.

He strongly supported the demand for allocation of land for construction of a proper drivers' office in the State.

Highlighting the roles of the drivers against all odds and risk factors, general secretary of AMRTD & MWU, Maimom Anil Meitei appealed to Minister Karam Shyam to look into the demand for construction of an office for the drivers of the State.

P Sonamani lauded the contribution of the drivers towards running the daily economic and social activities and normal functioning of the society by bravely bearing the risks of robbery and extortion from certain sections.

He requested the ruling Government to take note of the matter, understand the importance of the drivers and post around 3 or 4 IRB battalions on the National Highways to ensure safety of the drivers as well as passengers.

Lakshmikumar said that the Transport Department and the PWD should work in co-ordination to look into the welfare of the drivers in connection with professional hazards like accidents apart from robbery and extortion.

He said that road safety is an important issue that needs to be tackled with extra attention considering the alarming rate of almost 50-100 road accidents in a year in Manipur as compared with the overall figure of 1.5 lakh in the country.

As drivers' safety is everyone's concern, the Transport Department is taking into account the welfare schemes of the drivers like public toilet, funds for motor driving school and discussion on implementation of new measures on public safety and convenience, he said.

Salam Romen Meitei bagged the Driver of the Year Award that carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000 from M/S Heirangoihong Service, Rs 5,000 from Minister Karam Shyam and a certificate.

Mutum Maidila Singh,Taithailung Kamei and Mutum Noren Singh were the other three nominees for the prize.