Transport Dept cease work Govt loses lakhs in revenue
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 25 2013:
Following the cease-work strike launched by employees of Transport Department, which is one of the key departments in terms of earning revenue, the State Government is losing lakhs of rupees everyday.
Members of the All Manipur Transport Department Motor Vehicle Employees' Association launched an indefinite cease-work strike from April 22 challenging a transfer and posting order issued by the Deputy Secretary, Department of Personnel on April 12 .
On account of the cease-work strike, all the daily activities of the department were brought to a grinding halt.
The department wore a deserted look with majority of the employees not attending office.
The few individuals who attend office are not doing any of their official work.
Collection of taxes, issuance of special permits to trucks which do not posses national permits, issuance and renewal of driving licence, registration of new vehicles and issuance of vehicle fitness certificates have all been stalled.
It is not only the subordinate staff, even the Director is allowed to enter his office room only with the permission of the agitating employees.
Even though the Director attends office, little work can be done as other subordinate staff are staying away from their offices.
Notwithstanding the fact that Transport Department is one of the key departments which has been earning regular revenue for the Government, no sign of the State Government initiating any measures to resolve the impasse can be seen till date.
The employees have been protesting against re-posting of former Deputy Director A Shivadas Sharma to his former post after he was transferred as SDO/BDO and Treasury Officer, Chandel.
They have been demanding annulment of the order which re-posted A Shivadas Sharma to the post of Deputy Director (Transport) .
A Shivadas was holding the post of Transport Deputy Director for around three years before he was transferred as SDO/BDO and Treasury Officer, Chandel by an order issued by DP on February 23 this year.
Another order issued by DP on April 12 gave the charge of Deputy Director (Transport) in addition to being SDO/BDO and Treasury Officer, Chandel.
The All Manipur Transport Department Motor Vehicle Employees' Union maintained that they would never accept A Shivadas Sharma as Deputy Director, Transport for there were many grievance against him during his previous term as the Deputy Director.
Meanwhile, the Transporters' and Drivers' Council (TDC) has pledged full support to the ongoing agitation of the All Manipur Transport Department Motor Vehicle Employees' Union, claimed the latter's general secretary Ottang Khongsai.