Guwahati: A 48-hour chakka bandh is set to keep all kinds of public transport, including buses and taxis, off the roads in Assam from Monday.
The chakka bandh has been called by a joint form of motor workers unions in Assam to protest against the alleged harassment in the form of “penalties and taxes” imposed on commercial motor vehicle workers and owners by the state government.
“The Assam government has not provided any support to the drivers and conductors of the commercial vehicles, who have been burdened financial hardships while incurring heavy losses in the past two years owing to the COVID-induced lockdown when vehicles remained off the roads,” the forum claimed in a statement.
“To make matters worse, the government has now imposed fines and taxes on vehicles rather than providing relief in these trying times,” it said.
The forum further alleged that although the “Motor Shramik Kalyan Asoni” (motor workers welfare scheme) was introduced in the Assam Assembly, its regulations were yet to be implemented.
The All Assam Cab Operators Association has extended support to the two-day strike, while members of the All India Road Transport Workers Federation have appealed to the motor workers and drivers and the people to make the strike successful while demanding implementation of a welfare scheme for motor workers in the state.
On the other hand, a joint forum of central trade unions has given a call for a nationwide strike on March 28 and 29, to protest against government policies affecting workers, farmers, and people.
Financial sectors, including banking and insurance, are also extending support to the strike.