Don’t render them jobless

ILLITERACY forces them to take up the job of drivers, but they fear losing licence because they are illiterate, such is the vicious cycle of illiteracy. The Tribune reported that more than 40,000 commercial vehicle drivers from Nuh district in Haryana have lost their livelihood because they could not get their licences renewed. The transport authorities refused to renew their licences because they could not produce their class VIII certificates. Indeed, the authorities have done a commendable job by enforcing the law. The law of the land states that the minimum educational qualification in respect of an applicant for obtaining a licence to drive a transport vehicle is class VIII. Besides, it also envisages that a person driving a vehicle carrying goods of dangerous or hazardous nature to human life should also have the ability to read and write in one Indian language, besides English. Undoubtedly, the lawmakers must have some valid reasons for prescribing a minimum educational qualification for granting licences of commercial vehicles — to curb accidents on highways; apparently this appears to be the most obvious logic behind this educational criterion.

Strictly enforcing the ‘letter’ of the law does not necessarily mean that the enforcer, particularly the state, has done justice to the ‘spirit’ of the law. The country has a very high level of illiteracy, which is endemic to northern states. A large population of the country is extremely poor and most people belonging to this stratum are unemployed. Some of them are lucky to get a job in the transport sector as a cleaner or helper. They struggle their way up on the ladder to eventually become a driver. They are skilled, but without any formal training. They cannot be denied a livelihood because they don’t possess a piece of paper that certifies that they have the requisite qualification.  

Safety on the highways is equally important. Impounding licences is not a solution. The state must recall its pledge of welfare. It must provide necessary educational training to these illiterate, but skilled drivers. A three-month crash course can bring a smile to millions.