Ramesh Kumar
The
week gone by was wonderful.
The
high point of the week's happening was the interaction with the Army Welfare
Placement Organisation (AWPO) regarding how to utilize the services of ex-army
drivers to meet the growing driver deficit for Indian trucking scenario. Two
rounds of discussions were held.
(Left to Right): Col Harsh Vardhan Sharma, Maj Gen Deepak Sapra & Selvan Dasaraj
DRIVERS
DUNIYA set the ball rolling with a
preliminary meeting with Col. Harsh Vardhan Sharma, Regional Head of
AWPO at Delhi Cantonment office. Actually, this interaction with the Indian
Army was set in motion by Brigadier Vivek Sohal (Retd), who also doubles
up as an Advisor on the Editorial Advisory Board of DRIVERS DUNIYA, India's
FIRST long haul truck driver focused English Quarterly magazine. Second round
of meeting was held with Major General Deepak Sapra SM, Managing Director of
AWPO along with Transport Mitra Services Founder Selvan Dasaraj.
Brig
Sohal saab facilitated the meeting with Col. Sharma (also nicknamed as
"High Voltage" Sharma!). During the preliminary rounds, it emerged
that almost 500 army drivers retire as per service conditions around the age of
40 and have a long live ahead post-retirement. So they seek a second career.
Given their expertise in trucking for the Indian Army, they are available for
service. However, subject to certain conditions.
What
are these conditions?
According
to Col. Sharma, they (ex-army drivers) are disciplined, punctual and honest and
expect to be treated well. This condition assumes importance given the
prevailing mistrust between fleet owners and long haul truck drivers in the
Indian trucking space. AWPO, set up as a Registered Society and managed by
retired army veterans to rehabilitate retired military personnel from all ranks
in the Indian private sector at suitable slots, is fully aware of the trust
deficit.
The
concept of hiring truck drivers with a proper appointment letter with necessary
perquisites (weekly offs, medical/sick leave etc.) is alien. So this is a
disconnect. Ex-army drivers will not touch such trucking companies with a barge
pole. No appointment letter, sorry. Not interested.
The
prevailing practice of paying long haul truck drivers on per kilometre basis
with incentives is NOT acceptable to them. They need a permanent job and
regular salary with incentives. This monthly pay should be anywhere between
35,000-40,000 inclusive of incentives. No verbal assurances. Everything need to
be penned down on a piece of paper a la an appointment letter. Of course,
salary dispersal SHOULD be equally punctual and automatic bank transfers. No
involvement of middle management in settling dues as is the prevailing
practice.
Secondly,
they need four days of leave of absence
for every 30 days of service. These four days can be bunched or
negotiated by fleet owners and drivers between themselves. Not to be forgotten
is the annual leave of 15 days.
Thirdly,
they will be available for fixed route trips only. Not a rotational trip. For
instance, NO to Delhi-Mumbai and then Mumbai to Kolkota etc. Put it in other
words, they are READY for Delhi-Mumbai-Delhi or Mumbai-Hyderabad-Mumbai kind.
Interestingly,
ex-army drivers are spread across India. Every state, district. So companies
that service within the state or adjoining states have a huge reservoir of
drivers for hire.
Yes,
such ex-army drivers will enter into a year contract at least. AWPO will charge
a fee from companies hiring these ex-army drivers. If these drivers leave
within 3 months of hire, AWPO will provide quick replacement. If not, the fees
paid to them will be refunded.
Of
course, these drivers will not drive Overloaded vehicles and will not indulge
in any unlawful activities on their own or on behalf of fleet owners.
It
is no secret that the Indian transport segment is totally unorganized. The need
of hour is a disciplined and structured workforce. Ex-army drivers would be a
perfect fit provided the rest of the Indian trucking fraternity is ready to
absorb these disciplined soldiers onto Indian highways.
Perhaps,
here is a chance to create a disciplined truck driver fraternity.
Ex-Army
drivers, supported by AWPO and blessed by the Government of India, is ready to
serve as soldiers on Indian highways. But they are available provided there is
a disciplined and professional trucking management.
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