Dhamendra Pradhan Urges CM Naveen Patnaik To Take Drivers’ Demand Seriously

Bhubaneswar: As commuters continued to face difficulties on the second day ‘quit-steering’ strike by drivers in Odisha, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to initiate steps to resolve the issue.

In a series of tweets, he requested the CM to take the demands of the protesting drivers seriously and hold discusses with all the drivers’ union to find a solution. “The drivers’ strike started almost a year ago. I got to know from the media that it was suspended following discussions between the drivers’ union and the government,” he said

He further said that the drivers are one among us and not untouchable in society. Not taking their demands seriously “does not augur well” for democracy, he added.

Citizens were severely inconvenienced as buses and cabs remained off the roads as around 5 lakh drivers members of Drivers Ekta Mahamancha launched an indefinite stir across the state on Wednesday, demanding social security, including pension after 60 years of age, death and accident benefits, parking, rest shed and toilet facilities along the roads besides formation of a welfare fund. including pension after 60 years of age and other social security measures.

They resorted to strike after their discussion with Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu remained inconclusive on Tuesday. The minister, however, said  that a high level committee was examining their demands and steps woupld be taken as per its recommendation.

Bus owners’ association, which had assured that buses will ply as usual, blamed police for disruption in services. “Our bus drivers are being humiliated in the presence of police. The police are not providing protection, how will we operate?” asked association secretary Debendra Sahu.

Transportation of essential commodities was also affected. Truck owners’ association and auto rickshaw owners’ association, which had announced not to join the agitating drivers, also claimed that they did not get protection from the local administration to ply vehicles.