Tanker drivers stage protest at BPCL in Bokaro against new accident law

Bokaro: In a demonstration organized by the All Driver Welfare Association, tanker drivers gathered at the entrance of the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Depot in Radhanagar, Bokaro district, to voice their opposition to the new accident law introduced by the Central Modi government. The protest, led by Mohd. Ziauddin, Bokaro District Vice President of the Association, highlighted the drivers’ concerns regarding the stringent provisions of the law.

Expressing their grievances, Ziauddin emphasized the dedicated service provided by the tanker drivers, especially during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic when they played a crucial role in transporting essential commodities nationwide. However, he lamented the lack of supportive measures from the government to boost the morale of the drivers.
The drivers voiced strong objections to the new law, which mandates a 10-year imprisonment and a Rs 5 lakh compensation in the event of a road accident. Ziauddin argued that such penalties were financially unfeasible for drivers earning between Rs 200-400, suggesting that the government’s approach was seen as an attempt to suppress them.

In response to the perceived injustice, the All Drivers Welfare Association announced a strike from January 1st to January 4th, denouncing the law as oppressive. Additionally, the association, under the leadership of Swaminathan Yadav, the Sangh District President, has declared a Bharat Bandh with a set of 29 demands. Should the government fail to address their concerns positively by January 4, the drivers indicated their readiness to continue the protest indefinitely.

Various members of the association, including Guddu Yadav, Mintu Khan, Israr Khan, Rajneesh Yadav, Charan Prajapati, Shashi Pandey, Ram Narayan Jha, Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chittaranjan Kumar, Anil Yadav, Vinod, Naveen, Rahul, Laugen, Atish, Pappu, and Deepak Lohar, were present during the protest.