New Delhi, Jun 29 (LAB) Despite making a significant contribution to the economy of the nation, the rightful entitlements of the truck drivers do not get adequate attention, as the truck business remains fragmented and unorganized, Justice Arun Mishra, Chairman of NHRC said.
Issuing an advisory to the Centre, States, and UT Administrations, The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India on Tuesday directed that the human rights of commercial truck drivers should be protected.
Justice Mishra, earlier, while chairing the Core Group meeting on Business and Human Rights on the issues of commercial truck drivers, had expressed serious concerns over their plight and suggested collaborative, pragmatic, and implementable solutions to safeguard their rights.
Issuing the Advisory, the Commission observed that despite making a significant contribution to the economy of the nation, the rightful entitlements of the truck drivers do not get adequate attention, as the truck business remains fragmented and unorganised.
Majority of the truck drivers do not get social security benefits such as provident fund, pension, health insurance, life insurance, gratuity, etc. long working hours, lack of adequate rest and sleep, long absence from family, low salary, non-availability of clean and healthy food in time, the constant threat of exploitation by law enforcement agencies and anti-social elements and high risk of road accidents makes the truck drivers prone to physical and mental stress, drug addiction and irresponsible sexual behavior, Justice Mishra said.
The Commission, in a letter through its Secretary-General, Mr. Devendra Kumar Singh to the Secretaries of concerned Union Ministries, Departments, Chief Secretaries of States, and Administrators of Union Territories, asked for the implementation of its recommendations in the Advisory and sought Action Taken Report within three months.
The Advisory has focused on four key areas for action by the Centre, States, and UT Administrations. These include Protection from exploitation, Provision of amenities to the drivers, provision of Socio-Economic Security, and the Physical & Mental well-being of the commercial truck drivers.
Some of the important recommendations, among others, are as follows.
Amend the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 to provide for mandatory purchase of personal accident cover for an amount not less than Rs. 15 lakh for each driver, co-driver, and helper of a commercial truck;
Provide cashless treatment to drivers, co-drivers and helpers injured or incapacitated in road accidents.
Establish and regularly maintain driver rest stops and lay byes consisting of the parking area, furnished restrooms, toilets/washrooms, restaurants providing food and beverages at reasonable rates in a clean hygienic environment, mechanic shops, medicine shops, doctor’s clinics, etc. at regular intervals, not exceeding 40 kilometers, along National Highways and at prominent locations along the State Highways and other major district roads;
Establish fully equipped Trauma Centres at regular intervals along highways to extend emergency to victims of road accidents;
Launch a special drive to create awareness and register all truck drivers, co-drivers, and helpers on e-Shram portal to avail benefits of Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-ABJAY) as well as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PM-JJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PM-SBY) and Old Age Protection under Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mann Dhan (PM-SYMD);
Launch a Group Insurance Scheme providing for life as well as health cover for truck drivers on payment of a nominal subsidised subscription;
Minimise physical interface between truck drivers and law enforcement agencies by providing online facilities for auto-generation of challans for over-speeding, grant and renewal of registration & fitness certificates, permits, and licenses, payment of taxes & penalties only online besides storage of vehicle-related documents.
Installation of speed cameras at regular intervals along highways for detection besides, mandatory installation of vehicle location tracking devices in each truck to track and detect overspeeding.
Establish an online portal and a round-the-clock helpline to receive complaints along with evidence (photographic, video graphics, and documentary) from truck drivers;
Deployment of highway patrols in the areas vulnerable to exploitation by anti-social elements;
Formulate an SoP to govern the seizure of trucks and arrest of drivers, co-drivers, and helpers in cases involving road accidents, overloading, and violation of other laws. The SoP may contain inter-alia an exhaustive list of cases where the arrest of drivers or seizure of truck may be made;
Institute award and cash incentives to honour drivers observing responsible driving.
Make appropriate rules to the effect that earmarking of adequate land for the establishment of truck terminals at appropriate locations shall be an essential requirement for approval of a Master Plan for Towns and Industrial areas./LAB/SNG/