Straight Line News Report
Jammu, May 23: Facing lockdown amidst Corona Pandemic, the Jammu And Kashmir Oil & LPG Tank Truck Drivers And Cleaners Union; the representative body of drivers and cleaners who carry essential petroleum products including Diesel, Petrol, Aviation fuel and LPG have urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to provide them relief at par with the labourers.
They have also demanded that they should be covered under different schemes run by the Labour department under the aegis of J & K Union Territory government and Government of India and in this regard a letter has been written by the Union to the Labour Commissioner, J & K.
In his appeal to the Labour Commissioner, Union President Ranjit Singh Raina describing the plight of daily wage drivers, cleaners and other crew members of the tanks and truck carrying essential petroleum product pleaded for free ration and some cash for medicines as due to lockdown the trips of the tanks and trucks have dropped significantly in absence of civilian supply thus these daily wage drivers and cleaners are finding it too difficult to feed their family and self.
Harasis Singh, Spokesperson & Advisor to Union President giving further details informed that already suffering transport industry and more specifically the tank and truck drivers are the worst hit victims of this Lock down and pandemic. He said that Union acknowledges and appreciate efforts of the Government of India and Jammu and Kashmir in providing relief to the stranded migrant workers but unfortunately the drivers and cleaners are also facing the same situation.
He revealed that union president and other office bearers daily receive dozens of distress calls from the poor daily wage drivers and their family members for help and the union with its limited resources do whatever possible but as Corona Pandemic is a national disaster; Without the organized support of government; no individual, organization or union can do anything. He requested government and officers to realize that the drivers, like doctors, paramedic staff and police are on front line in the war against this intangible enemy, the Corona Virus.
It is pertinent to mention here that despite lock down, drivers and cleaners have ensured uninterrupted supply essential items to different parts of Jammu and Kashmir and even to Union Territory of Ladakh risking their own lives.
