Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Driver Association staged a padyatra over 10-point charter of demands. Reportedly, the association has been on padyatra across various districts from October 21 and today they are organizing the rally in Bhubaneswar.
Hundreds of drivers have started march from Palasuni Chhak towards Naveen Niwas, added reports. They have demanded corona warrior status to all members of Odisha Driver Association, pension after attaining age of 60 years and Rs 20 lakh insurance cover for death due to accidents.
Meanwhile with the private transport dominating the road passenger sector, the All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association on Tuesday gave a warning to the State government to reduce the rise in diesel prices else the private bus services will be halted for an indefinite period from November 16.
The association said that of the 60 percent operation buses, some are starting to halt services due to low occupancy. If the state government fails to take concrete steps in providing financial assistance to bus operators, the passenger vehicle will soon seize operations.
“If the state government fails to take our demands into consideration by November 15, we will be forced to halt bus services for an indefinite period from the next day,” said the association’s secretary Debendra Sahu.
It is noteworthy of that about 14,000 private buses had been operating in the State connecting different cities. However, the bus operations remained affected due to Covid lock-down and shutdown in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kalinga AI