Transporters are stakeholders of the ministry: T R Baalu

Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, TR Baalu, has called a meeting of transport ministers of all the states on Monday, January 12, to discuss the on going transporters’ strike in the country, as it has led to shortages of essential food stuff in some parts of the country.

As the strike entered its sixth day, the minister today softened his stand and appealed to the transporters on strike to resume work.

“We don’t want to act tough, we don’t want to precipitate the issue further. Transporters are the stakeholders of the ministry. I’m only requesting to come forward (for talks),” said Baalu. The Transporters’ Strike was called by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) with effect from January 5.

As the strike started to show its impact on the delivery of various perishable goods, the representatives of a breakway group the All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners’ Associations (AICOGOA), who are not participating in the strike, met the minister this morning and assured their full cooperation for smooth movement of goods and commodities.

SP Singh, senior official at the Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT) said, “ This strike has evoked only partial response in some parts of the country, amounting to only 10-15 per cent of the total operations. Yesterday, the impact was felt more but that was primarily due to the oil strike that stalled some transport vehicles. However, overall, there has been no major impact, with vehicles moving smoothly on inter-state routes.”

A suggestive action plan has already been circulated to the states and union territories so as to deal with any eventuality arising out of the transporters’ strike.

The transport ministry has circulated directives to state governments to declare transport services as essential service under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and other similar Act. The government has also turned to the local traders and businessmen to seek their help through pooled vehicles for movement of essential commodities.

Transport vehicles within the state have also been permitted to carry essential commodities without the requirement of a permit. Also, to identify pool of drivers to be engaged in case vehicles are requisitioned for supply of essential commodities. The state governments have been asked to allow free flow of goods across inter-state borders by giving temporary inter-state permits for 7 or 15 days.

In a more hardened stand, directives have also been sent to suspend or revoke the permit of strikers under Section 86 (e) of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Yesterday, the senior office-bearers of the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) who were spearheading the truck operators’ agitation were arrested.