Truck operators continued their strike for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday, affecting supply of goods to various parts in the State. With the stalemate still on between All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and Central government over the demand to change the existing toll fee collection process, the truck owners in the State are participating in the indefinite strike.
As part of the strike, the A.P. Lorry Owners Association members are staging a dharna at Benz Circle on Monday. Association president Gopal Naidu headed to New Delhi to attend a meeting called by AIMTC. It is demanding scrapping of the present toll collection system, claiming that it was a tool of harassment for truckers, besides seeking a one-time payment of taxes and simplification of TDS procedure. Though supply of essential goods such as milk, vegetables and medicines has been kept out of the purview of the indefinite strike, supply of other commodities like cement, iron and steel was affected. The government claims of making alternate arrangements of supplying commodities through RTC buses.
Prices of a few vegetables and flowers were marginally increased in retail markets and traders are apprehensive that strike could cast an impact on the prices, if continued for couple of more days.
Meanwhile, lorry owners association members informed that there could be talks between the AIMTC leaders and Central government in New Delhi on Monday.
“Much will depend on the outcome of the meeting. We are prepared to continue the strike, if talks fail,” said association general secretary Y.V. Eswara Rao.
