Corruption & Highhandedness in Malda stretch of NH34 (West Bengal)

Ref.No. 102/WestBengal/2016                                                                        Date: 4 October 2016

Mr Sharad K Dwivedi IAS
District Magistrate
Malda , West Bengal
Phone: 03512-252381
dm-malda@nic.in & dm-mldh@nic.in

Sir,

Sub: Corruption & high-handedness of Transport & Police officials in Malda district, West Bengal on NH34 (Kolkota to Dalkhola) Stretch

Navratri greetings.

On 29 September 2016, I was on a road trip from Kolkota to Siliguri to examine the presence or absence of corruption & highhandedness of various district/state officials in their dealings with uneducated and less privileged long haul truck drivers.

Met several of them at various points on this stretch which entirely falls in the state of West Bengal. The stories or allegations I heard from them was nothing new because every single state in India has same of attitude by officials towards these hapless soldiers on highways. Nonetheless I wish to bring to your notice with the hope that at some of you would take cognizance of these corrupt practices and
subsequently put to an end to them thereby enabling these long haul drivers shuttling between Kolkota and Guwahati/Assam ferrying essentials for people in Bengal to eat, drink and live peacefully. That too daily.

Why am I addressing this missive to you? You may wonder. It is because Malda district is singled out as the most corrupt district in West Bengal by these set of drivers whom I had bumped into. Unsurprisingly, these corrupt officials point fingers at their higher ups saying that they were forced to
fleece these drivers to feed their higher ups. How far that is true, none knows. Hereagain, this kind of
allegation is omniscient/omnipresent across Indian states.

These drivers are unlikely to give written complaints to someone like you – a District Magistrate – by
meeting you in person in your office. Whether you would give time and entertain them in your office is difficult to hazard a guess. Having said that, surprise checks by you personally on highways where these drivers ply at any time, will be advisable. That way, you can try to alleviate their sufferings.

By the way, this will be a big service to the entire country. Perhaps you are aware that none other than
Minister for Road Tranpsort & Highways Mr Nitin Gadkari has openly stated that there is a 22% driver shortage in the country. Why? Mr Gadkari admits that the nation treats them shabbily. While IAS babu’s children was to be join Civil Service, doctors’ children have no compunction to enter medical profession and, last but not the least, politicians’ wards eyeing an early entry in politics, NO drivers’ children desire to be in this profession where these life sustainers are ill-treated.

Well, as a citizen of this country and and as a media watchdog, I have brought this to your notice with
the hope that you would do something positive. Rest I leave it to the Almighty.

Plans for another trip on the same stretch in November end/December early is on the cards.

If I hear from you or from drivers who have taken my phone numbers during the recent interaction to
inform me of any POSITIVE changes on this route following this written submission ON THEIR BEHALF, half my job is done. Hope you won’t let me down.

Warm regards

Ramesh Kumar
Editor

Copy to:
Mr Adhikari Suvendu, Minister for Transport, Govt of West Bengal
Mr Basudev Banerjee, Chief Secretary, Govt of West Bengal
Mr Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Transport Secretary, Govt of West Bengal
Mr Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Govt of India
Mr Abhay Damle, Joint Secretary(Tranpsort), MoRT&H, Govt of India