Transporters apex body All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has appealed to the government to intervene and stop the harassment and extortion of drivers by field officials manning nakas.
Drivers and their associates are working on the frontline to transport essential goods and medical supplies.
The government of Maharashtra has issued guidelines in order to contain a surge in COVID cases in the State of Maharashtra.
Though, as per the new guidelines, the movement of inter-state and intra-state movement of essential and non-essential goods vehicles is allowed but the transport fraternity has its own set of concerns based on its experiences of lockdowns 2020.
“We have been reported that transporters, even those engaged in the transportation of medicines and oxygen, are also facing trouble in the field and are being harassed for no reason. We implore the government to look into this aspect and strict instructions are issued to the implementation authorities not to harass those engaged in transportation services of essential goods as there is already reverse migration among drivers, cleaners and helpers segment and if this situation persists then there will be disruption in the supply chain of essential commodities,” said Bal Malkit Singh, Chairman, Core Committee, AIMTC
In a letter to the government, the apex body of transporters has requested to issue strict instructions to the officials to refrain from harassment and extortion of drivers and crew members by field officials manning the nakas. Also, workshops, tyre shops, spare parts, dhabas and eateries are allowed to function to maintain continuity of services.
Moreover, toll collection should be suspended and the toll roads be made free as done last year.