The Sikkim Progressive Youth Forum (SPYF) on Thursday night called off its over week-long dharna in support of the demand for the restoration of the pre-Covid public transportation arrangement after an understanding was reached with different drivers’ associations at a meeting called by the East Sikkim administration.
The agreement was preceded by a day-long drama after some hundred-odd drivers descended in front of the East District collector’s office in Gangtok to oppose the SPYF dharna. The drivers under the banner of the Joint Action Committee of All Sikkim Drivers’ Association accused the SPYF of besmirching their reputation by raking up the issue of Covid protocol-induced fare hike.
According to the standard operating procedures (SOPs), both shared taxis and government-run buses are allowed to operate at 50 per cent of their original capacities, but at double the old fares for taxi commuters and at 30 per cent premium for bus passengers. Besides, two-wheelers are also not allowed to ride pillion.
The SPYF, which espouses various political and social issues, wanted the restrictions to be lifted and old fare structure restored because the new arrangement hurt the common people and was fundamentally not in sync with scientific advice on ways to contain the contagion.
Speaking to reporters after Thursday’s meeting, Shankar Sharma, a member of SPYF, said the issues raised by the forum were discussed and it was agreed in principle to arrive at an amicable solution by the first week of November. “Following which we are calling off our dharna now, but if the demands are not fulfilled, we will take the agitation path if the need arises,” he said.
Sharma said on the main issue of lifting of passenger restriction in taxis and buses, the drivers’ body had agreed to comply with whatever decision the transport department and the State Task Force on Covid-19 take.
A representative of the drivers’ association said both the parties had agreed to find an acceptable solution. “We have also decided not to go ahead with the chakka jam from October 31 that we had been contemplating since the issue has now been resolved,” he said.
