GANGTOK, Oct 29 - The East Sikkim district administration has invited representatives of the Sikkim Progressive Youth Forum and members of various driver associations for talks to end the deadlock arising out of the ongoing protests over review of transport policies.
Drivers belonging to various groups today held a counter-protest against the SPYF at the same venue where the latter has been demonstrating, leading to some tense moments.
The drivers maintained that the demands being made by the SPYF are unreasonable in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
�We are following the government norms and the SPYF cannot come up with demands that may affect our livelihood,� complained a driver.
Meanwhile, the SPYF members rejected direct talks with driver representatives. However, they later accepted the invitation extended by the district administration for talks between the two warring sides.
The Government�s guidelines for carrying less passengers in taxis have led to a rise in passenger fares in Sikkim. The SPYF has asked the Government to withdraw the guidelines as these have caused inconvenience to daily
commuters.
However, the drivers reaffirmed their support to the government guidelines.
