Sagar Chhetri
Gangtok, Jan 20
A Drivers’ Meet of drivers and transporters of Gangtok and its surrounding areas was organised by All Sikkim Democratic Transport/Drivers Front [ASDTF] of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front party here at SDF Bhawan on Sunday. The meet was attended by more than 300 drivers and transporters and representatives of driver’s association from 80 different taxi stands of Gangtok and its surrounding areas.
The meet has the Legal Advisor to Chief Minister, KT Gyaltsen as the chief guest and was accompanied by senior leaders of the party and office bearers of ASDTF. The meeting was also attended by women taxi drivers of Gangtok.
On the occasion, representatives of different taxi drivers association and cooperative society thanked the SDF government and the CM Pawan Chamling for always working in the interest of drivers of Sikkim and for their welfare. They also placed their issues and problems and suggestion to ASDTF during the meeting.
In his address, the chief guest, Mr Gyaltsen assured to take all issues and demands of drivers to the CM for placed by representatives of different taxi organisations during the meeting. He congratulated all drivers of Sikkim for their tireless service and contribution to Sikkim and its people. He urged them to continuously work responsibly as the ‘Ambassador of Sikkim’ for the better name of the State. He stated that the future of Sikkim lies in the hands of drivers.
Speaking on political issues, Mr Gyaltsen mentioned that good politics would construct the State while the bad politics will bring the destruction in the State. He added that the politics was to work in the interest, welfare and protection of the people and to make their future but if a politician would do politics for his vested interest then it was not good for the people and the State.
He mentioned that every section of Sikkim has been doing well due to good thoughts, vision and leadership of the CM and his inclusive politics. He added that due to works of SDF government in social justice and women empowerment many women have been working successfully in driving profession. He stated that positive and constructive transformation took place in 24 year of SDF government in the State.
Mr Gyaltsen asserted that there was no alternative of SDF party and its leader Pawan Chamling in the State. He further added that there were no alternative of programme, policies and principles of the ruling party.
ASDTF State Incharge GM Gurung urged representatives of different taxi drivers’ association to take the right message to all drivers of Sikkim about their rights and urged them not to get mislead or misguide in rumours and misinformation. While referring drivers as the ambassador of the State, he encouraged them to continuously working in the interest of Sikkim and urged to support the government to maintain the peace, security and development of Sikkim. He mentioned that SDF government has already fulfilled 80% of demands of drivers of Sikkim and rest 20% was under process.
Mr Gurung listed out various infrastructural and other developments took place in all sectors in 24 years of SDF government in Sikkim. On the same, he stated that Sikkim was ahead in different sectors in the country due to good and sincere leadership of the CM. He mentioned that tourist inflow increased to manifolds in the State and other developments in tourism infrastructures have created immense opportunities for local youths to do well in driving and transport sector. He added that the government has also been supporting its youth through StartUp schemes and loans to be owner of vehicles to earn better livelihood.
Mr Gurung informed that the government has approved the demand to take drivers of Sikkim on educational tour in and outside the country. He informed that the government will take 200 drivers, 50 each from a district, on the educational tour from next year. He informed that four taxi drivers will be felicitated by the government on upcoming Republic Day celebration at Gangtok for their service to the State.
Likewise, he informed that a Chalak Bhawan will be established in each district, parking plazas in different places, grant of Rs 2 lakhs to all registered taxi organisation to conduct different awareness programmes, statue of Lord Biswakarma will be establish in all four districts and other approved demands of drivers by the government.
Earlier, vice-president of Rangpo Taxi Driver Welfare Association MahendraAdhikari expressed his gratitude to SDF government and the CM Pawan Chamling for working for the welfare and uplifment of driver’s community of Sikkim since inception. He also thanked the government for building up all required infrastructures and creating immense opportunities for drivers to earn better livelihood.
President of Singtam Taxi Drivers New Generation Cooperative Society Tatshering Lepcha thanks the CM for immediately working out on the demand of drivers by opening the RTO office at Singtam for the convenience of drivers of the area. He also thanked the CM for provided opportunities to youths to be self-reliant by opening cooperative societies.
President of Gangtok Children Park Drivers Association, DorjeeKhampa and joint action committee general secretary, RupendraTrikhatri expressed that inflow of tourists increased to manifolds in Sikkim has created more opportunities for local drivers to earn better. Dawa Sherpa from Deorali Taxi Driver’s Association also placed various issues and problems facing by Sikkim drivers during the meeting.
President of All Sikkim Truck Drivers Association, Mingma Sherpa thanked the ruling party for always working for the welfare of drivers through ASDTF. While mentioning about various schemes and initiatives of the state government, he urged drivers to take the full benefits of these schemes and initiatives of the State government. President of Luxurious Vehicle Owners/Drivers Association of Sikkim, Kamal Chettri stated that the government provided more opportunities to local youths by issuing luxury vehicle numbers. He stated many local unemployed youths have become self-reliant by running the luxury vehicles.
Likewise, two women taxi drivers of Gangtok, Ranjita Gurung and Riti Pradhan expressed gratitude to the CM for provided opportunities to women of Sikkim to earn their livelihood through driving profession. They mentioned that due to peace and security maintained by the government women drivers can work till late nights in the State.
Earlier, the meeting, which was conducted by CLC President of MartamRumtek Constituency, SharadKhadka, was started with welcome speech ASDTF general secretary, Karma Tashi Bhutia and concluded with vote of thanks a SDF worker ChewangThendup Bhutia. On the occasion, blankets were also provided to senior and women drivers of Sikkim.