Cab mazdoors' body seeks financial help, vaccination & sanitization from Assam government

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Cab Mazdoor Sangha has urged the State government to initiate a financial scheme to bail out the people working in the sector and also arrange for vaccination of the drivers as well as regular sanitization of the vehicles.

Making this demand, the chief advisor of the organization Dhrubaraj Asom said, "These steps need to be implemented at the earliest for the safety of the more than 3,000 people presently working in the sector as well as for their family members; and above all their passengers."

He added, "Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 16,000 people were actively involved in this sector. For most of them and their families, this is the sole means of livelihood. However till date, neither the two companies involved in the sector nor the government paid any attention about the need for some scheme to help these people in the sector or of any of the above-mentioned steps.

"Some of our drivers have already tested COVID positive. The infection may have been from the drivers or also from the patients. Against this backdrop, it is important that the government pays attention to this commercial sector that contributes a significant amount of revenue to the State exchequer."

He added, "It's rather ironical that though the State government has extended help for many sectors yet the cab drivers are yet to be offered any scheme. We had sought help from the authorities concerned during the first wave of the pandemic; but, nothing came forth. We ardently hope that the government will favourably respond to our requests this time.

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