Shillong, August 29: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of commercial vehicles in Meghalaya comprising of owners and drivers in a recent meeting have taken a decision to participate in the Massive Procession March called by the All India Trade Union (AITU) across the country on September 2.
The JAC took the decision to participate in the march in protest against the silent attitude of the state government towards their demands to reduce the road taxes and insurances of local taxis in the state which has been on the increase every year.
It may be recalled that on August 11, the East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association (EKHLTWA), staged a black flag rally in the whole of Khasi and Jaintia Hills in protest against the exorbitant increase rate for vehicle insurance and other road taxes.
The JAC informed that the procession march will kick start form Police Bazar (Khyndai Lad) at 11Am and proceed towards Secretariat building and conclude again at the starting point carrying banners and placards.
Addressing newsmen here on Monday, Wandonbok Jyrwa general secretary EKHLTWA said, “We have taken this decision to support the AITU after a meeting with owners and drivers of various commercial vehicles in the state because despite our black flag rally on August 11 the state government is still silent on our demands to reduce the road taxes and especially the exorbitant insurance rates for local taxis.”
Stating that most commercial vehicle owners have yet participated in any programme called by the association, he said, “We want to urge all the owners to also take part in this procession march in support of our demands.”
He said the association reiterates its strong protest against the state government and central government. “We want the state and central government to rethink of ways and means to reduce and cut back the various road taxes by 25 percents especially towards local taxis,” he said.
The procession march will also be participated, by domestic workers, ASHA workers, Master roll, Anganwadi etc, to protest against the meager salaries they have been receiving.
