The Hindu : Truckers call off strike

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 24, 2003

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Truckers call off strike

By P.K. Bhardwaj

NEW DELHI APRIL 23. The 10-day-old nation-wide truckers' strike was called off this evening following an agreement between the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), which was spearheading the agitation, and the Government.

According to the agreement — providing a face saving for AIMTC which was under pressure on account of a vertical split in its ranks and truckers in many States dissociating themselves from the stir — the oil companies would be asked to consider if the periodicity of change in prices of fuel every fortnight could be revised. While doing so, the companies would take into consideration the views of the AIMTC.

Further, in relation to this crucial demand of the AIMTC for uniformity and stability in the fuel prices, it was also agreed that the Petroleum Minister would advise the oil companies to advance the revision in prices of oil due on April 30 and also appropriately reduce the prices keeping in view the drop in the international price of oil.

So far as the other vital demand of toll tax on four lane national highways was concerned, the Government accepted the AIMTC's request to set up a committee to look into it. The panel, which will have two representatives from the AIMTC, would examine the methodology of working out the quantum of toll to be charged for various types of transport per kilometre.

The agreement came at the end of the daylong meeting between the Government and the AIMTC.

In relation to the demand concerning the imposition of excise duty of Rs. 10,000 on chassis, it was agreed that the issue would be referred to the Finance Ministry. It has also been clarified that VAT does not apply to transport business as it formed part of the services sector that was outside its purview. The clause dealing with phasing out of 15-year-old vehicles said the Ministry of Road Transport had consistently been of the view that the age of the vehicle need not be the deciding factor but prescribed emission norms, fitness and safety related norms have to be adhered to.

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