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Truckers in predicament?

5 November 2009

Following the introduction of a new loading system at Druk Satair Corporation Limited (DSCL) in Pemagatshel, there are dissenting voices from truckers.

Last week, about 30 truck drivers and owners called an informal meeting to discuss transportation issues. When they learnt that their National Council member, Jigmi Rinzin, was in town, they invited him and presented their issue for mediation between the truckers and the management of DSCL, a gypsum mining company.

While he did not promise anything saying that the company reserves the right to take steps in its interest, he said he would present their views to the management. Following DSCL’s installation of a high-capacity crusher, a notification was served to all the truck drivers and owners that they would be provided loads from the crusher, and not from the mines.

The company’s 14 tripper trucks feed the crusher. So at the crusher, there are no enough loads for scores of trucks. Therefore, the notification required private tripper truck owners to bring in gypsum from the quarry to the crushing unit and get loaded in preference to ordinary trucks.

Owners of ordinary trucks have also been encouraged to make their own arrangements with tripper truck drivers to get loaded faster. Some of them, who made such an arrangement, said they had to pay extra to their friends who owned trippers trucks.

This new loading system has left the truck owners stranded for days waiting for their turn. They said they could deliver only one trip in three to five days.

However, the mines manager, Zangla, said it happened only during the initial perioud of commissioning the crusher when it had only one conveyor. According to him, now, there are two loading points, one for ordinary trucks and the other for tripper trucks. “It was a temporary measure to deal with a huge stock at the transit point in Samdrup Jongkhar,” he said.

On nullifying a transportation agreement with three truck drivers, who refused to give way to an oncoming tripper, he said it was the decision of the management. “Two trucks have been allowed back but a driver, who refused to talk to our CEO, has not returned,” Zangla said.

Another worry for the truck owners and drivers is that the notification also carried intent to draw new transportation agreements with tripper truck owners and with those who own both kinds of trucks. The owners of ordinary trucks say it is aimed at phasing out the poorer truck owners.

Zangla, however, said the company has always had an accommodating policy. According to dissenting drivers, they cannot approach the management with grievances in fear actions. They say they cannot afford to be barred from work as they owe loans to financial institutions.

The gypsum mines in Pemagatshel was started in 1982 as a government mine. The DSCL is in its fifth year of operation. It obtained the right to mine gypsum for 15 years. Gypsum from Pemagatshel has a high purityof above 90 percent. Its market includes the north east India, West Bengal, Bangladesh

and Nepal. Gypsum is used for plaster of Paris and in cement factories.

The DSCL mines more than a thousand metric tons of gypsum daily.

The company provides work to about a hundred trucks on a daily basis. While many truckers say that transportation business is not as lucrative as it may seem, many find stability in the work which the mines provide all the year round.

By Gyembo Namgyal

Following the introduction of a new loading system at Druk Satair Corporation Limited (DSCL) in Pemagatshel, there are dissenting voices from truckers.
Last week, about 30 truck drivers and owners called an informal meeting to discuss transportation issues. When they learnt that their National Council member, Jigmi Rinzin, was in town, they invited him and presented their issue for mediation between the truckers and the management of DSCL, a gypsum mining company.
While he did not promise anything saying that the company reserves the right to take steps in its interest, he said he would present their views to the management. Following DSCL’s installation of a high-capacity crusher, a notification was served to all the truck drivers and owners that they would be provided loads from the crusher, and not from the mines.
The company’s 14 tripper trucks feed the crusher. So at the crusher, there are no enough loads for scores of trucks. Therefore, the notification required private tripper truck owners to bring in gypsum from the quarry to the crushing unit and get loaded in preference to ordinary trucks.
Owners of ordinary trucks have also been encouraged to make their own arrangements with tripper truck drivers to get loaded faster. Some of them, who made such an arrangement, said they had to pay extra to their friends who owned trippers trucks.
This new loading system has left the truck owners stranded for days waiting for their turn. They said they could deliver only one trip in three to five days.
However, the mines manager, Zangla, said it happened only during the initial perioud of commissioning the crusher when it had only one conveyor. According to him, now, there are two loading points, one for ordinary trucks and the other for tripper trucks. “It was a temporary measure to deal with a huge stock at the transit point in Samdrup Jongkhar,” he said.
On nullifying a transportation agreement with three truck drivers, who refused to give way to an oncoming tripper, he said it was the decision of the management. “Two trucks have been allowed back but a driver, who refused to talk to our CEO, has not returned,” Zangla said.
Another worry for the truck owners and drivers is that the notification also carried intent to draw new transportation agreements with tripper truck owners and with those who own both kinds of trucks. The owners of ordinary trucks say it is aimed at phasing out the poorer truck owners.
Zangla, however, said the company has always had an accommodating policy. According to dissenting drivers, they cannot approach the management with grievances in fear actions. They say they cannot afford to be barred from work as they owe loans to financial institutions.
The gypsum mines in Pemagatshel was started in 1982 as a government mine. The DSCL is in its fifth year of operation. It obtained the right to mine gypsum for 15 years. Gypsum from Pemagatshel has a high purity
of above 90 percent. Its market includes the north east India, West Bengal, Bangladesh
and Nepal. Gypsum is used for plaster of Paris and in cement factories.
The DSCL mines more than a thousand metric tons of gypsum daily.
The company provides work to about a hundred trucks on a daily basis. While many truckers say that transportation business
is not as lucrative as it may seem, many find stability in the work which the mines provide all the year round.
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