Bhubaneswar: Considering the hardship faced by the bus, truck and taxi drivers, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday approved a new scheme for the drivers. He also approved the proposal for formation of a welfare board to implement the scheme.
Following the Chief Minister’s approval, Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu announced the scheme at a function attended by the motor vehicle drivers and workers in Bhubaneswar. Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur was present in the Meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the board, which will be initially funded by the Odisha Government, will administer the scheme by collecting funds from registration fee collection, transport vehicle owner contributions and other sources.
Initially some benefits for the drivers have been provisioned in the scheme. In case of death due to road accidents, Rs. 4 lakhs will be paid to the nominee of the deceased driver/employee. In case of severe injuries, Rs. 80,000 will be provided, Sahu said.
Similarly, she said Rs 1,50,000 will be paid to the motor transport driver or employee in case of permanent disability. In case of ordinary death, Rs.2 lakh will be paid to the nominated person, she announced.
Apart from this, the drivers & other workers will be eligible for inclusion in Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), Madhu Babu Pension Scheme etc.
More than 5 lakh motor vehicle drivers and other workers will benefit from the implementation of this scheme, she said.
The Welfare Board to be constituted for this purpose will have Government members as well as representatives of motor transport drivers/other workers.
In March, thousands of drivers staged demonstrations across the State demanding various welfare measures and infrastructures. At that time, the State Government has assured the drivers to fulfil their demands within three months.
