By Agartala Correspondent | Tripura 24.in AGARTALA | April 3, 2026
AGARTALA: In a move to strengthen the collective bargaining power of workers in the energy sector, the Tripura Prakritik Gas Mazdoor Sangha (Natural Gas Workers’ Union), in collaboration with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Tripura Pradesh, organized a crucial organizational meeting today. The session focused specifically on the grievances and operational challenges faced by LCB (Light Commercial Vehicle) drivers involved in the distribution of natural gas across the state.
The branch committee meeting served as a platform for drivers to voice long-standing issues regarding their working conditions, safety protocols, and remuneration structures.
Key Discussion Points
The meeting was marked by a detailed deliberation on a multi-point charter of demands. Union leaders emphasized that LCB drivers are the lifeline of the state’s gas supply chain, ensuring that fuel reaches both domestic and commercial consumers without interruption.
Major Issues Addressed:
- Wage Regularization: Demands for a standardized pay scale for LCB drivers that reflects the inflationary pressures of 2026.
- Job Security: Concerns regarding the contractual nature of many drivers and the need for more stable employment terms.
- Work-Life Balance: Discussions on regulating shift timings to prevent driver fatigue, which is a major safety concern on Tripura’s highways.
- Insurance and Health Benefits: The urgent need for comprehensive accidental insurance coverage for drivers handling flammable materials.
Statement from the Leadership
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Binoy Mallick, General Secretary of the Tripura Prakritik Gas Mazdoor Sangha, stated that the organization is prepared to take these demands to the highest authorities if they remain unaddressed.
”Our LCB drivers work under immense pressure to maintain the state’s energy flow. However, many of them are struggling with inadequate pay and a lack of social security. Today’s organizational meeting was about consolidating our strength. We have documented the specific problems of the branch committees and will soon submit a formal memorandum to the management and the state labor department,” Binoy Mallick asserted.
BMS Commitment to Grassroots Workers
The presence of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) leadership underscored the national-level support for the local gas workers. BMS representatives noted that they are focusing on “last-mile workers” in 2026, ensuring that those in the transport and logistics sectors are not left behind in the state’s economic growth.
The meeting concluded with the formation of a sub-committee tasked with drafting a detailed report on the technical difficulties faced by drivers during gas loading and unloading at various mother stations.
