Truckers end strike, warn of more protests

Urge Ministry to resolve issues

The two-day truckers’ strike has affected movement of goods across the country. Photo shows lorries in Salem on October 9, 2017.

The two-day token strike by truckers, which hit supplies across India, concluded on Tuesday with the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AITMC) threatening to take more action, if the issues raised by it are not resolved.

“Our two-day chakka jam (strike) during October 9 and 10 remained successful with supplies remaining hit across the country, barring essential goods,” said Bal Malkit Singh, chairman, core committee of the AITMC.

Following a meeting with Finance Ministry officials, Mr. Singh said it had assured the association of looking into GST issues after holding consultations with the Law Ministry.

Claiming losses of ₹4,000 crore to the transport sector during the strike, Mr. Singh said, “This was only a token strike called by the AIMTC and if no concrete results come from this exchange and discussion (with the Finance Ministry) then an indefinite

chakka jam will be called post-Deepavali.”

The Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT), however, termed the strike a flop show.

IFTRT coordinator S.P. Singh said industrial belts across India were largely unaffected by the strike.