CHENNAI: Drivers of government vehicles will soon receive training at special centres, to be established in three places in the state.
The Tamil Nadu government has sanctioned funds for the ‘Amma driver training centre’ to come up in Tiruchy, Madurai and Salem. The project was announced by Transport Minister M R Vijayabhaskar in the Assembly last August. The transport department recently issued a government order, according a financial sanction of `2.49 crore for the training centres.
The centres will temporarily function out of the premises of regional government automobile workshops, which are under the control of Motor Vehicles Maintenance Department (MVMD). The training will be only for drivers of light motor vehicles, such as jeeps and cars.
Speaking to Express, an MVMD official said, “These centres will start functioning shortly. They will offer refresher courses to existing drivers operating for various government departments and also new recruits.” The official said the total sanctioned sum of ` 2.49 crore includes `1.66 crore for constructing buildings and `30 lakh for purchasing computers and furniture. Further, the government has already allotted three vehicles from the common pool of MVMD for training centres. It will be conducted by experts engaged for a remuneration.
The training has been designed to be held in batches. Every month, there will be two batches, consisting of 30 drivers each. “All districts surrounding the proposed three centres have been alerted. We are currently seeking the names of drivers to be forwarded by Collectors for enrolment in the course.” At the end of the course, which is offered free of cost, the drivers will be given certificates.