Transportation of goods is likely to be hit as truckers across the State plan to go on a two-day strike to protest against escalating fuel prices, the Goods and Services Tax and other issues. Nearly five lakh trucks across the State will not ply on October 9 and 10.
Members of the Chennai Goods Transport Association and the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) will participate in the strike.
P.V. Subramani, vice-president (south zone), AIMTC, said GST was being imposed on sale of old vehicles and business had been affected by 50% as bookings had come down post GST.
Moreover, the E-way bill, an electronic bill required for cargo movement, was impractical for road transport.
Truckers demanded that instead of E-way bill, invoice from the consignor must be accepted. They also protested against fluctuating fuel prices.
Pointing out that fuel and toll charges accounted for nearly 70% of their operating costs, truckers said fuel prices must be reduced according to the international market.
Some of their other demands include diesel being brought under GST to fix uniform prices across the country and the implementation of price revision on a quarterly basis.
Members of the association were also against toll charges and waiting time at the booths as it increased fuel consumption. Mr. Subramani said the Centre could instead collect toll charges on a yearly basis from lorry operators. During the strike, the truckers expect a daily revenue loss of about ₹5,000 crore in Tamil Nadu.
R. Sukumar, president, Confederation of Surface Transport, Tamil Nadu, said the Motor Vehicle Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017, to be tabled in Parliament, would affect several sectors.
A demonstration would be organised in Chennai on October 10. Truckers plan to go on indefinite strike if the demands are not met.
