After Massive Rally By Drivers, Odisha Govt Says Panel To Look Into Demands

Bhubaneswar: After hundreds of drivers took out a massive rally here on Monday, state Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera said the Odisha government will form a committee to look into their demands.

The decision was taken after a discussion with the drivers.

“A committee will be formed to look into the demands of the drivers’ association. It will visit different states and assess what steps have been taken by them for their drivers. Accordingly, necessary steps will be taken within three months,” Behera said.

The drivers, members of the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangh, converged at the Master Canteen Square here over their 10-point charter of demands, affecting movement of traffic and Mo Bus services.

Traffic jams were reported at Rasulgarh, Vani Vihar, Rajmahal, Acharya Vihar and Jayadev Vihar.

Mo Bus services were affected on several routes due to the strike.

The drivers’ demands include enacting a special law for their protection, Rs 20 lakh compensation to kin of drivers killed in accidents, insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh, pension for drivers attaining 55 years of age, housing scheme and higher education facility for children of drivers and restrooms every 100 km on national and state highways.

Earlier, the drivers took out a padayatra from various districts to Bhubaneswar on October 21. After the government failed to accept their demands, the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha hit the streets again.