What’s inside:
This article discusses the ongoing protests by Dial-112 drivers and TRE-4 candidates in Patna, highlighting their demands and the current situation.
In Patna, there is a lot of noise as drivers of the Dial-112 service and TRE-4 candidates protest for their demands. On Tuesday, ex-servicemen working with Dial-112 marched from Gardnibagh to Kargil Chowk, chanting slogans against the Bihar government. The drivers have been on strike for nine days now.
Chandan Kumar, the State President of their organization, mentioned that the protest has support from people across Bihar. Ex-servicemen from various districts have joined in, and they plan to completely stop work starting Wednesday if their issues are not addressed. They are unhappy about their salaries, which were promised to be Rs 25,000 but have only seen a small increase of Rs 750 so far.
Drivers are upset about their working conditions. They were assured that their duties would be near their homes, but that hasn’t happened. Many drivers, especially women, are forced to work long hours, sometimes even 12 hours straight, without proper breaks. They often have to manage work while taking care of young children.
Among the major demands, the drivers want identity cards and appointment letters to be issued. They are also asking for mutual transfers, equal pay for equal work, and a weekly holiday. They feel the need to form their own association and want their pay and job status to be aligned with workers in other states.
Since ex-servicemen were reinstated in January 2022 to make Dial-112 effective, the situation has worsened. Sadly, 15 ex-servicemen have passed away since then, and their families have not received any support or benefits, raising serious concerns among the drivers about their welfare.
Summary:
- Drivers of Dial-112 are protesting in Patna for better pay and working conditions.
- The strike has been ongoing for nine days, with plans for a complete work stoppage.
- Long working hours and lack of basic facilities are major concerns.
- Drivers demand identity cards, better pay, and the right to form an association.
- Welfare issues for deceased drivers’ families remain unaddressed.
