GANGTOK,: The All Sikkim Government Drivers’ Association (ASGDA) on Sunday celebrated its silver jubilee-cum-felicitation programme for retired government drivers here at Manan Kendra.
MLA and Power department advisor Sanjeet Kharel was the chief guest for the programme which was attended by ministers, MLAs, All India Government Drivers’ Confederation representatives, NE association representatives, Sikkim Chalak Welfare Board, and guests.
In his address, Kharel congratulated the ASGDA for their silver jubilee celebration. We are in the government for a second term for which the contributions of drivers are immense, he said. The role and importance of drivers in the society, State and nation building is significant and it is important for us to acknowledge and honour them and their profession, he added.
The Power department advisor assured to place the ASGDA’s demands for welfare of the government drivers to Chief Minister PS Golay.
Speaking on the occasion, special DGP Akshay Sachdeva congratulated the ASGDA for the silver jubilee milestone and highlighted the talents of the government drivers in diverse fields.
Sachdeva requested the drivers associations across Sikkim to come together in tackling the menace of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. He urged that one must stick to proper road safety rules and disciplined driving, especially during night hours, to prevent accidents.
ASGDA general secretary Pradeep Gautam expressed that the honour and respect of the chalaks (drivers) in Sikkim have enhanced since the new government came in 2019 under the leadership of Chief Minister PS Golay.
For the welfare of government drivers, we have approached the Chief Minister with our demands including promotion of drivers as given to other Group C & D government employees, and if not, drivers be extended with two increments within 5 years, said Gautam.
Similarly, we have requested uniforms for drivers, he said.
The ASGDA has 4,300 plus members.
ASGDA president Chopel Dorjee, on behalf of the association, requested that the officials should not engage the government drivers with extra duties and non-official works. We are ready to do all the duties as per the Sikkim Service Rules but nothing extra as it is an unwarranted burden, and from today onwards, we should not be awarded with extra work apart from our official duties, he said.
He also highlighted the demand of a Sarathi Bhawan, promotion grade to the government drivers and other issues related with the drivers.
The celebration saw felicitation of around 200 retired government drivers along with felicitation of various associations including the All India Government Driver's Confederation representatives, executives and representatives of the government drivers associations of various States.
In the later phase of the function, the chief guest along with other dignitaries also drew the ASGDA lottery.