Gadwal: The District President of CITU, A. Venkataswamy, has called for legal protection and job security for transport workers. He made this demand during a meeting at the local CITU district office on Friday.
Venkataswamy highlighted that road transport workers are responsible for moving 85% of passengers and 65% of goods in the country. Despite their crucial role, they lack legal protection and job security. He noted that the transport sector contributes 4.5% to the country’s GDP, yet the central government has not introduced any welfare schemes for these workers in the past ten years.
He criticized the hit-and-run law, saying it has negatively impacted transport workers without offering any safety measures. He demanded its immediate repeal and urged the Telangana state government to announce that it will not implement the M.V. Act 2019 amendment. He emphasized the need for continuous pressure on the central government until the hit-and-run law is withdrawn.
Venkataswamy also called for the creation of a special board for the welfare of transport workers. He suggested that the government should cover auto drivers’ insurance and fitness costs, provide accident insurance worth 5 lakhs, and offer free medical treatment up to 10 lakhs under Aarogyasri. Additionally, he demanded a monthly allowance of Rs. 4500 for transport workers who have suffered losses due to free bus travel, similar to allowances given to bidi and handloom workers.
The meeting was attended by several transport workers, including Shekshavali, Chinna, Narasimha, Ashok, Devaraj, Prabhudas, Nagesh, Ashok, Bichupalli Parashuramudu, and Madhu.
