Transport association calls off January 27 Assam bandh

Private transport workers in Assam called off their January 27 24-hour Chakka Bandh, according to local media reports.

Dijen Sharma, state secretary of All India Road Transport Workers’ Association, told a local newspaper that they were calling off Wednesday’s bandh. This comes after the association was assured by the labour and transport commissioners and other officials that the proposed welfare scheme for transportation workers is being worked up on.

He said that they will again meet with the authorities at 1 pm on Wednesday to check the development of the scheme. “If we are satisfied than the following bandhs will also be called off, otherwise we continue to stage our protest,” he added.

11 private transport workers’ associations had announced a series of chakka bandhs in the state with a 24-hour long bandh across the state on January 27, which has now been called off.

Releasing a statement earlier, the transporters accused the government of not considering the needs of the workers despite their relentless work for the smooth running of the state. They said that no permanent scheme was provided to them and no respite was provided for the losses incurred during the 7 months of lockdown. They have also been protesting against the new rules that are continued to be implemented by the authorities regularly.