CM urged to launch welfare scheme for drivers

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 7: The Manipur Truck Owners' Welfare Association (MTOWA) has urged the Chief Minister for a welfare scheme for drivers of heavy vehicles carrying goods on the National Highways.
In a representation, submitted to the Chief Minister, MTOWA said the scheme should include provisions for life-long pension, compensation for injuries and ex-gratia in case a driver dies on duty.
The demand for the scheme came after Nitish Kumar, the driver of a truck carrying FCI rice to Ukhrul, was killed in an ambush carried out by Kuki militants at TM Kasom area on May 29.
MTOWA said the scheme should provide a compensation of at least Rs 20 lakh to the next of kin in case a driver dies while on duty.
The scheme should also provide a suitable Government job to one of the next of kin of the deceased driver commensurate with their educational qualification, it said.
Further, the scheme should also have provisions for payment of adequate compensation to drivers injured on duty, according to the nature of the injury, and payment of lifelong pension to those drivers who can no longer operate vehicles due to injuries sustained while on duty, MTOWA said.
Speaking to this paper, MTOWA president Hijam Ranjit said the drivers of the goods vehicles plying the National Highways in Manipur have been facing acute distress on the road for decades.
While these drivers have made sacrifices, transporting essential commodities for the people of the State and sustaining the economy, they have been often left to fend for themselves when they face difficulties on the road, Ranjit said.
There have been instances of drivers being threatened, abducted, beaten and killed. In almost all of the cases, the drivers were not given any help or assistance by the Government. If such attitude and treatment continue to be meted out to them, drivers may be discouraged from plying the Manipur highways, Ranjit said.
Acknowledging the drivers' contributions to the sustenance and welfare of the State, the Government ought to launch a separate fund and scheme for their welfare, which would encourage them to serve the State with a sense of security, Ranjit said.
A State which is reeling under violent conflict and frequent economic blockade must have a scheme that protects the drivers and their families, Ranjit said.