Team Herald
PONDA: In view of the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi, the Ponda Bus Drivers and Conductors’ Association on Monday demanded financial assistance from the government for the festival.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Addressing to the media persons, Association President Altaf said, “Since the past four months, we have lost our livelihood as most of private buses remained off the road. We have no security as we are daily wages earners and want some scheme for survival.”
It is pertinent to note that there are around 100 bus drivers and conductors in Ponda, who are without jobs and struggling to feed their families. Altaf said, “The association had submitted memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in June and to Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude this month and so government should consider our demands.”
Supporting their demand, MGP leader Dr Ketan Bhatikar assured to take up the issue with the Chief Minister. He demanded that the government instead of constructing the new Raj Bhavan should spent money on poor during the pandemic. “Several people including bus drivers/conductors have lost their livelihood and need financial assistance for Ganesh Festival,” he said and demanded some relief for the poor too.
