TDC bays for DGM's head
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 12 2014 :
Accusing the Deputy General Manager (DGM) of the FCI regional office of being totally insensitive to the pulse of the Manipuri people and sentiments of transporters, the Transporters' and Drivers' Council (TDC) has demanded dismissal of the DGM.
Speaking to media persons today, TDC vice-president Th Ibohal and general secretary Ng Haridas said that the State Government should ask the authority concerned to remove the present DGM of FCI regional office, Imphal.
A memorandum would be submitted to the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and the Consumer Affairs Minister towards this end.
After the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) declared a ban on trucks having Manipur registration numbers within the territory of Nagaland resulting in a prolonged highway blockade, TDC sent its trucks on Imphal-Jiribam highway in the interest of the people of Manipur in 2010 even though Imphal-Jiribam highway at that time was anything but a highway.
Since then TDC banned movement of trucks on Imphal-Dimapur highway and TDC has not changed its position.
In the meantime, TDC has been working for development of Imphal-Jiribam highway with support of the State Government.
Cancellation of contract for transportation of rice along Imphal-Jiribam highway by the DGM of FCI regional office, Imphal deserves outright condemnation.
Following cessation of rice transshipment along Imphal-Jiribam highway, drivers and their helpers are facing extreme hardships to the point of starvation.
Pointing out that the railway track leading to Jiribam would be blocked from October 1 for upgrading the railway track to broad gauge, the TDC leaders appealed to the State Government to allow resumption of rice transportation along Imphal-Jiribam highway.
Further the Government should take up necessary initiatives for connection of Imphal-Jiribam highway to Guwahati via Silchar and Shillong.
Transportation of rice along Imphal-Jiribam highway ceased since August 23.Whereas the DGM is more interested on Imphal-Dimapur highway, Imphal-Jiribam highway has been literally closed to rice transporters, said Ibohal and Haridas.
All Manipur Road Drivers and Motor Workers' Union secretary H Kullamani said that transporters operating along Imphal-Jiribam route would hold a meeting tomorrow to deliberate on the DGM's alleged attempt to abandon the highway.
While appealing to all transporters/drivers to attend the meeting, Kullamani demanded nomination of transport contractors for Imphal-Jiribam highway at the earliest.