Odisha Govt To Draw Up Action Plan For Welfare Of Drivers In Unorganised Sector

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated steps for welfare of the drivers working in the unorganised sector in the state.

The issues concerning the drivers was discussed at a high-level meeting presided by Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra at Lokseva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

Considering different contours of the issue, the Chief Secretary directed the department to draft a comprehensive action plan in the perspectives of Odisha Motor Transport Workers Rule. He also directed to propose amendment to the existing rules for facilitating roll out of the welfare measures.

The departments of Commerce and Transport and Law were asked to examine details of the legal, financial and administrative aspects for making the scheme smooth and seamless. It was decided to assess the number of drivers working in the transport organisations. Transport Commissioner was asked to draft the scheme and required amendments in the Rules in about a week.

Principal Secretary Commerce and Transport Bihnupada Sethi outlined the legal and financial issues. Principal Secretary, Finance Vishal Kumar Dev, Transport Commissioner Arun Bothra and senior officers from departments concerned participated in the deliberations. Secretary, Labour and ESI Chitra Arumugam and Labour Commissioner Dr N Thirumala Naik joined the deliberation through video-conferencing.