SHILLONG: Drivers of maxi taxis operated by the Government to provide better public transport system to the city residents staged a day-long strike on Thursday to protest certain directives of the private operators plying these vehicles.
The drivers have taken exception to the private operator, Synroplang Self Help Group’s decision to fix a monetary target for the drivers. The drivers staged a protest in the parking lot of the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) in Khyndailad (Police Bazaar) on Thursday morning against the directive.
It has been learnt that the order was made effective from August 1 and as per the directive, the operator has fixed a revenue target ranging from Rs 2100 to Rs 2700 per day for the drivers.
Earlier, the drivers plying through the different routes managed to bring revenue varying from Rs 1300 to Rs 1900 per day.
“The operator has also asked the drivers to resign from their job if they cannot meet the new target,” the drivers said.
When contacted, Urban Affairs Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh said that the affected drivers called her up all of a sudden to inform her that they are staging a day-long strike.
However, Lyngdoh said that the drivers should have discussed the matter before going for the agitation
