The Hindu : National : Truckers defiant

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Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009
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Truckers defiant

Special Correspondent

Seek Manmohan’s intervention

NEW DELHI: The All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC)’s indefinite strike entered the second day on Tuesday despite penal threats from the Centre and much to the chagrin of industrial and commercial houses.

AIMTC president Charan Singh Lohara issued an appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene and concede their demands, including reduction in diesel and tyre prices.

Officially the strike continued to affect states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab where more than 40 to 50 per cent of the trucks were off the road.

The AIMTC claimed that LPG and oil transporters had also joined the strike in Maharashtra.

Union Road Transport and Highways Secretary Brahm Dutt said there was nothing to be alarmed about.

He told The Hindu that the Centre had adopted a two-pronged strategy, comprising alternative arrangement for transportation of essential commodities and penal and punitive action against the striking truck operators.

According to Mr. Dutt, Maharashtra had already relaxed rules allowing all vehicles to carry goods.

The Centre has asked States to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and the National Security Act (NSA) under which trucks could be seized and operated by the government.

There have been no talks after the impasse on Sunday.

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