Chakka bandh protest against new Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Trade Union and other Trade Federations called an all India strike on January 8 and 9 in protest of the Centre’s Anti-Public policy. In support of the nation-wide protest, the All Assam Joint Forum of Motor Transport Workers has called a 24 hours chakka bandh in the state on January 8 and 9.

The Forum said that in the earlier BJP led Central Government, a Bill “Road Transport and Safety Bill-2014” was introduced. “The Bill was totally against the benefit of the transport labours and workers. It was largely protested after which the government dropped the Bill. However, the government has introduced a new Bill “Motor Vehicle Amendment (MBA) Bill-2017”. If the Bill is adopted as an Act, the entire transportation system will be disrupted”, the Forum replied.

The new Bill is alleged to put small transport workers out of work as it will privatize all public transport. The Forum stated, “All taxis, cabs, buses, trucks, autos, etc will come under the hands of industrialists like Ola and Uber and small vehicle owners will loose their jobs. So, to oppose the new Amendment Bill, we will hold a protest on 8 and 9 January.”

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