Mysuru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come forward with the idea of setting up Rest Houses every 25-km on National Highways in the country, said KR Constituencey MLA S.A. Ramdas.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 7th anniversary of the District Tourist Vehicle Drivers and Owners Welfare Association at Veene Seshanna Bhavan, here recently.

The national permit vehicle drivers drive all over the country. To facilitate them, the Central Government has come forward to set up Rest Houses in every 25-km distance. This will help the drivers rest, take bath and even cook, he said.

The tourist vehicle drivers meet new guests every day. The visitors imagine the tourist places based on the inputs given by these experienced drivers. Hence, the tourist vehicle drivers have a big responsibility to promote tourism.

During the British rule, the transport policy was changed and a new policy was adopted. The Central Government came up with a new policy after independence. This was passed in the Lok Sabha but it was stalled in the Rajya Sabha, he said expressing his displeasure.

Karnataka, Kerala oppose ‘Ayushman Bharat’: The Central Government which has come forward to implement ‘Ayushman Bharat’ life insurance scheme for the hard working drivers in the unorganised sector has been accepted by all the States in the country except Karnataka and Kerala.

Under this Central scheme, Rs. 10 crore health cover will be provided for the families,  and a letter has been written to both the State Chief Ministers to sign for the scheme, he said and added that the drivers should educate the children and see that they land good jobs.

Support for children’s education

Chamaraja MLA L. Nagendra assured that he was ready to support the education of the children of drivers who day in and day out meet different customers and who are responsible for their safety.

Association Hon. President B.S. Prashanth made a plea to both the MLAs that under the government’s housing scheme, the drivers without a roof over their head must be provided houses and also a separate office for the Association with affordable rent must be provided.

On the occasion drivers were presented with uniforms and the children with schoolbags. Both Ramdas and Nagendra were also felicitated.