JK News Today
Jammu, May 29:
Team Jammu demands relief measures for transport operators, workers in un-organized sector
Expressing serious concern over the poor financial condition of working class in un-organized sector, including private transport operators, salesmen, and motor mechanics etc, Team Jammu has urged the Government to announce emergency relief measures for families of these people in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Because of no work for the last more than two months due to Corona lockdown, families of daily earning drivers and conductors are at the verge of starvation while owner of more than 3000 Auto Rickshaws, 6 to 7000 Mini Buses and about 3000 buses across Jammu Province, are in shambles as all these vehicles are having bank cases or private finance cases,” said Zorawar Singh Jamwal, Chairman of Team Jammu, while addressing a hurriedly called press conference on Friday.
Similarly, he added, salesmen and sales girls in showrooms are without salary and maximum of them have been shunted out by their owners because of no work while a number of motor mechanics in private garages have also been asked to stay at home without pay.
“Families of these workers and daily earners are virtually at the verge of starvation and they don’t have money to pay even school fees of their children,” said Zorawar Singh Jamwal while highlighting the plights of these people, who have not been provided any relief by the Government agencies.
Anguished over no word of relief for these people either from Government of India or the Lt Governor’s Administration, the Team Jammu chief sought to know how the much hyped Rs 20 lakh crores package announced by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman would help them to survive and feed their families.
“Even as Team Jammu and the other voluntary organizations are trying their level best in extending all possible help like ration kits to labourers and other needy families, it is beyond our capacity to support financially and hence the Government must come forward for survival of these families and education to their children,” said Zorawar Singh Jamwal.
Fearing that the crisis of no jobs and starvation like situation may lead to anarchy, which will be more serious that COIVD-19 threat, the Team Jammu chief urged the Lt Governor G C Murmu to immediately announce comprehensive package for these passenger vehicle operators, salesmen, mechanics and other workers so that they may be provided immediate relief to feed their families. He also drew attention towards plights of the artists, who were feeding their families through small earnings from artistic works but are now without any job since the lockdown.
“The Government must provide immediate relief to all such people for ensuring that ongoing fight against COVID-19 may not lead to unemployment, starvation and a free for all situations with an unending anarchy in the coming time,” said Zorawar Singh Jamwal.
