BluSmart Drivers Protest Over Unpaid Dues After Sudden Shutdown
In a shocking turn of events, over 10,000 drivers associated with BluSmart, an electric ride-hailing startup, took to the streets of Delhi on Sunday to protest against the company’s sudden shutdown. The drivers, who have been left in the lurch, are demanding payment of their outstanding dues and social security benefits after the company halted operations last month.
The abrupt suspension of services came on the heels of a probe by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which accused BluSmart’s EV partner Gensol Engineering and its founders of fund diversion. The move has left the drivers, who were the backbone of the company’s operations, in a state of uncertainty and financial distress.
The protest, which saw hundreds of drivers gather at the Delhi Police’s headquarters, was a demonstration of their frustration and helplessness in the face of the company’s sudden shutdown. The drivers, many of whom are daily wage earners, are now struggling to make ends meet after being left without a source of income.
“We have been left in the dark with no clear information on when we will receive our dues,” said Rohan Singh, a BluSmart driver who has been protesting along with his fellow drivers. “We have worked hard for the company, and it is unfair that we are being left to suffer like this.”
The drivers are also seeking social security benefits, including provident fund and gratuity, which they claim are owed to them. Many of them have been working with the company for several years, and the sudden shutdown has left them with no option but to take to the streets.
The protest has also drawn attention to the lack of regulation in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, which experts say is a growing concern. The sudden shutdown of BluSmart has left many questions unanswered, including what will happen to the drivers who have been affected and how the company’s affairs will be wrapped up.
The SEBI probe, which led to the shutdown of BluSmart, was prompted by allegations of fund diversion by Gensol Engineering and its founders. The company had raised funds from investors, including venture capital firms and angel investors, which were supposed to be used for the development of EV technology.
However, SEBI’s investigation revealed that the funds had been diverted for personal use by the company’s founders. The company’s sudden shutdown has left many investors and stakeholders in a state of shock, and the probe is ongoing to determine the extent of the fund diversion.
The sudden shutdown of BluSmart is also a setback for the EV sector, which has been growing rapidly in recent years. The company had been at the forefront of the EV revolution, offering a range of electric vehicles to passengers in Delhi and other cities.
However, the shutdown has raised questions about the sustainability of the EV sector, which many experts say is still in its infancy. The sector is heavily dependent on government support and subsidies, and the sudden shutdown of BluSmart has left many wondering whether the sector is ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
In conclusion, the sudden shutdown of BluSmart and the subsequent protest by drivers highlight the need for greater regulation and oversight in the EV sector. The drivers, who have been left in the lurch, are demanding payment of their outstanding dues and social security benefits, and it is the responsibility of the government and the company to ensure that their rights are protected.
Sources:
https://www.ndtvprofit.com/amp/business/blusmart-drivers-left-in-the-lurch-as-gensol-case-unfolds
