LOCKDOWN EXTENSION PUT FINANCIAL PRESSURE ON PEOPLE ENGAGED IN TRANSPORT BUSINESS: CITU

Rajesh Mohapatra,Odishabarta

ROURKELA:Odisha Govt. has extended the lockdown till 30th April looking at increase numbers of corona virus positive cases and as a better precautionary measure. But the same has many financial impacts on many people in different sectors.

Sundergarh Motor Karmachari Sangh and Rourkela Mini Bus Association affiliated to CITU have demanded the Govt. to pay assistance as Govt. has given workers Rs.1500 each under  Construction Workers, But workers working under Transport business is considered as workers in unorganized sector and been registered in Labour department. Hence, these workers are not getting the due benefit received by workers under Construction Workers.

 After the lockdown all communication mode has been stopped and so the workers working under this, i.e. bus drivers, conductors, helpers and many other who have been associated with this trade and they are auto drivers, taxi drivers etc have lost their income. In this lockdown even the owners of the busses are facing enough financial problems; hence, they also are not coming forward to help these needy workers who had been a great support to run their business. Family members of these workers are facing enough financial problems; hence, CITU is demanding State Govt.  to extend financial support for these many workers who have been supportive in lockdown with all integrity. Since, days have been extended and crossing more than a month, situation has become worse and Govt.’s due consideration will fetch them some good life in this critical juncture. This demand is put forward by Bishnu Mohanty, General Secretary, CITU, Biman Maity, Vice-President, Advisor, Rajkishore Pradhan, Secretary, Akshaya Mohanta, J. Khan, Arun Maharana, Bjarangi Choudhuri and many other leaders of CITU for a suitable action by Govt.