Bhubaneswar: An indefinite strike by vehicle drivers under the banner of Driver Ekata Mahamanch has paralyzed the movement of commercial vehicles across Odisha putting the commuters in a lot of hardship.
Thousands of vehicle drivers Wednesday resorted to road blockades, demonstrations and picketings across Odisha on fulfilment of their ten-point charter of demands.
Reports reaching the state capital here said although the All Odisha Bus Owners’ Association, Truck Owners’ Association and Auto-rickshaw Owners’ Association have stayed away from the agitation, the bus services were badly hit across the state as the drivers did not join the duty.
Official sources said a notice was given by the Driver Ekata Mahamanch March 1 last to go on indefinite strike from March 15 demanding fulfilment of their ten-point charter of demands.
However, a meeting between Odisha Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu and the office bearers of the Driver Ekata Mahamanch Tuesday remained inconclusive and the agitating drivers went on indefinite strike despite an appeal from the minister to withdraw the agitation in view of the ongoing school examinations in the state.
The Transport Department has also communicated to the Driver Ekata Mahamanch that the demands are under active consideration of the Government
Driver Ekata Mahamanch Convenor Akhaya Kumar Nayak said the vehicle drivers were forced to go on strike as the state government did not consider their demands which included among other things creation of welfare fund, social security, pension and parking facilities at every 100 km on the highway.
The Odisha government Tuesday instructed all District Collectors, SPs and RTOs to have a contingency plan to avoid any inconvenience to the public especially the students appearing for the examination during the indefinite strike by the Driver Ekata Mahamanch.
Twin City Police Commissioner Soumendra Priyadarshi warned that action will be taken against those trying to obstruct vehicular movement and advised people to call the 112 helpline number in the case of any untoward incident.
UNI
