Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that a Driver-Conductor Welfare Board will be constituted for welfare of the drivers and conductors. Their minimum wages, work and hours will be fixed. Drivers-conductors will be registered.
Rs 1lakh Sarthishri Award will be given annually to the best driver and conductor. Registered drivers-conductors will be provided wheat and rice at Rs 1 per kg. He was addressing Driver-Conductor Mahapanchayat at his residence here on Monday. In this series of Panchayats for direct dialogue with various sections of society, Chief Minister Chouhan announced a number of gifts for drivers and conductors.
Transport Minister Bhupendra Singh and Minister of State for General Administration lal Singh Arya were especially present on the occasion. The Chief Minister said that drivers-conductors are part of our society. They have the right to live with dignity. Driver-conductors connect the country and people.
This Panchayat has been held to remove their problems and bring about prosperity in their lives. He administered oath to drivers and conductors not to consume liquor and contribute in the State’s progress.Announcing gifts for driver-conductors, the Chief Minister said for the Driver-Conductor Welfare Board to be constituted, the State Government will give Rs 10 crore to carry out the welfare works.
The Board will provide upto Rs one lakh assistance if driver or conductor meets with accident or falls ill.
In case a driver-conductor becomes disable due to accident or any other reason, Rs 30,000 assistance will be given to him for the treatment in a Government hospital apart from assistance to his talented children in higher education.
The Board will also supervise welfare schemes for driver-conductors. Representatives of driver-conductors will be included in the Board.
The Chief Minister said that driver-conductors will be registered and given benefits of assistance for maternity, marriage, medical treatment, scholarships, assistance against untimely death and accident under Samagra Social Security Programme.
Young drivers-conductors will be provided loans under Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana. The State Government will provide Janshri insurance cover to all registered driver-conductors.
They will also enjoy socio-economic protection. Driver-conductor training centres will be opened at all divisional headquarters for their skill development.Procedures of issuing licences, permits and vehicle fitness certificates will be simplified. Permits will be given on new rural routes. Auto-taxi stands will be constructed in all municipal corporations, Nagar Palikas and Nagar Panchayats. Directives have been given for this.
At the Panchayat, the Chief Minister launched an updated website of the department. Transport Minister Bhupendra Singh said that Panchayat of driver-conductors has been held for the first time.He said that this Government takes decisions on people’s suggestions.