Heavy vehicle drivers protest non-renewal of licences

Gurugram, February 11

Having waited for almost three years for the renewal of their licences, hundreds of commercial vehicle drivers took to streets in Mewat on Monday seeking immediate action. The protesters are among 40,000 drivers who are unable to earn their livelihood owing to the strict implementation of a Central Act mandating Class VIII as the minimum qualification for a driving licence for commercial vehicles. A majority of these drivers, who had applied for the renewal of their licences, had been driving commercial vehicles for the last three decades.

“Driving commercial vehicles is the key occupation of Mewatis. Most of these drivers have an experience of over 30 years. When they apply for the renewal of their licences, they are asked for the school certificate. In the district with the poorest literacy rate, most of the drivers are school dropouts. The new norm has rendered them jobless and they are facing harassment at the hands of the authorities concerned,” said social activist Noordin Noor.

Local MLA Zakir Hussain said that a memorandum regarding the issue had been sent to Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and they should receive respite soon. —TNS