The Hindu : National : Truckers defiant, stir continues

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Truckers defiant, stir continues

Special Correspondent

Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma

No work: The scene at Azadpur wholesale vegetable market as the truckers’ strike entered its second day in the Capital on Tuesday.

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.

The Union Road Transport Department hoped to make a proper assessment of the strike only after 48 hours. Any adverse impact was likely to be felt only after four days when perishable commodities do not get lifted. The general impression was that trades and merchants had built their inventories in anticipation of the strike.

Union Road Transport joint secretary Saroj Kumar Dash said the railways have in writing promised to ensure unhindered movement of food grains, salt, levy sugar and oil products from the FCI godowns. There have been no talks after the impasse on Sunday. “The offer for a dialogue should come from them (AITMC) with an open heart,” said Mr. Dash.

The Centre on Monday agreed to restructure their loans and exempt sub-contractors from service taxes on eight counts.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National