Manipur drivers observe ‘drivers day’ amid calls for safety, welfare steps

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 14 (EMN): The 29th edition of an event in Manipur called the “drivers’ day” was observed at the Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) in Khuman Lampak with Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Karam Shyam as the chief guest of the programme.
The president of the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers & Motor Workers Union (AMRTD & MWU) S Manglem Singh presided over the function while Commissioner for Transport M Lakshmikumar Singh, All India Trade Union Council President Dr Moirangthem Nara and Retired senior superintendent of police of Nagaland P Sonamani Singh took chairs as the Guests of Honour at the function.
In the day’s observation Salam Romen Meitei bagged the ‘Driver of the Year Award’ with a cash prize of Rs.25, 000 from M/S Heirangoihong Service and another Rs.5, 000 from Minister K Shyam and a citation. Mutum Maidila Singh,Taithailung Kamei and Mutum Noren Singh were three nominees for the prize that was selected by lottery.
A floral tribute was paid by invitees to 242 deceased drivers who lost their lives during duty for the public. In his address, chief guest Shyam said that the drivers should be proud of their service even when hindered by various problems. he encouraged them to ‘respect themselves’ for ‘our lives depend solely on the drivers.’
“All drivers of the state should unite and merge into one body or Labour Union for proper, smooth functioning. This way, they can throw their demands in a better way and the Government will listen to their grievances and take proper measures to redress the same,” he said.
‘I will try my best to allocate a proper land for building an office for the drivers in Imphal east after choking out a strategic location as Imphal West is congested, he assured. Government has their own laws regarding land allotment, any problem regarding the mater can be solved by negotiation and discussion with the concerned officials,’ he said. He donated Rs 20,000 as a welfare fund.
Pointing out that it was crucial to increase the current wages of the drivers (not less than Rs.600 per day) and solve issues relating to their safety and initiating driving schools to prevent accidents, Dr Nara said, “We need to support the drivers, not just showing sympathy.”
He appealed to the government to implement welfare measures and expressed strong support to the demand for allocation of land for the construction of a proper office for drivers in Manipur. Also, retired senior superintendent of police of Nagaland P Sonamani Singh lauded the contribution of the drivers to running the daily economic and social activities of the state by ‘bearing the risks of robbery and extortion from militant, excise, forest, municipality, police and narcotics groups and other unexpected dangers on their way.’
Further, Transport Commissioner M Lakshmikumar said that the Transport department and the PWD should work in coordination to address the welfare of the drivers especially in matters of accidents, robbery and extortion they face.
Road safety is an important issue that needs to be tackled with extra attention considering the alarming rate of almost more than 50-100 road accidents in a year in Manipur.