Umbrella body formed for Ukhrul town taxi operators
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, November 28 2023: UDPASA and UDTWA, two prominent taxi organisations in Ukhrul town, have reached a unanimous decision to merge and establish a unified association, bringing an end to years of internal discord within the local taxi business.

The amalgamation of these two local taxi associations - Ukhrul District Passengers' Service Association (UDPASA-HAWA) and Ukhrul District Taxi Welfare Association (UDTWA) � has resulted in the creation of a new entity named Ukhrul District Taxi Welfare Association (UDTWA-Local Taxi), exclusively focused on local taxi services within Ukhrul town.

Moving forward, taxi operators in the town will recognise and adhere to the authority of the newly formed UDTWA-Local Taxi, which will oversee and regulate local taxi services until the Ukhrul Town Taxi Service Controlling Board (UTTSCB) completes the process of streamlining.

The first executive body of UDTWA-Local Taxi, consisting of 11 members, was constituted for a three-year term.

This decision was made by inviting nominations from both parties under the orders of UTTSCB on November 10.To commemorate this development, a declaration and authorisation pro gramme took place at Bakshi Ground, Dungrei on November 23 .

The event aimed to emphasise the spirit of unity and collaboration that led to the formation of the new association, fostering a sense of unity among taxi operators and drivers, and striving for improvement in taxi services.

Mark A Luithing, the Ukhrul ADC caretaker chairman, officially announced the establishments UDTWA - Local Taxi during the event.

He handed over the authority to the newly formed executive committee in the presence of UTTSCB secretary and additional SP Ringthing Hongchui, UDTWA president CH Kha-thing, vice-president Graceson Valui, TNL vehicle in-charge K Ahao, Bumrei Baptist Church pastor Reverend Joshua Zimik, among others.

The newly constituted executive committee includes KVS Rocky as convenor, Khanmaya Horam as co-convenor, Chuimeikhai Mashangva as the general secretary, SK John Calvin as the joint secretary, RSM Yurthan as the treasurer, Vareiyo Wungleng as the accountant, Ngamshang Vashum as the information secretary, and executive members Ramshan Shangh, KR Cannan, Benjamin T, and Vareiso Sharon.

The new executive body informed that taxi services in the town will operate under a unified colour and logo, with the specific design of the logo yet to be decided.

It is reported that there are currently 382 registered taxi operators under Ukhrul ADC, comprising members from both UDPASA-HAWA and UTWA.

As per a UTTSCB order, the legitimacy of the new association, UDTWA-Local Taxi, is derived from the fact that UDTWA is a registered association under the Manipur Societies Act 1989, and Ukhrul ADC will include new promoters from among association members based on the eligibility criteria of MSA 1989 to operate taxi services.

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