Truckers adamant, strike enters second day

As government's threat to cancel permits of agitating trucks failed to yield any result, the nationwide indefinite strike by truckers today entered the second day.

"We are on nationwide strike and we will continue until our demands are met," AIMTC President Charan Singh Lohara said.

Yesterday Transport Secretary Brahm Dutt threatened the agitators that if the strike continues, law of the land would take its course, and permits of the trucks could be cancelled.

Reacting to the government's threat, Lohara had said if the government starts cancelling the permits, then the truckers would not be responsible for any situation arising as a reaction of that.

The government has also asked the states to draw a plan to ensure supplies of essential commodities to the general public.

The strike has been called by All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) demanding a cut in diesel prices of Rs 10 per litre and exemption from service tax.

Meanwhile, the government yesterday fully exempted service tax from certain taxable services provided to a goods transport agency (GTA) by their sub-contractors. Some of the services include cargo handling, storage and warehousing, packaging activities and supply of tangible goods.

The strike commenced Sunday midnight following a call given by 4,000 associations affiliated to the AIMTC.

The wish list of hauliers also include levying uniform four percentage point VAT on diesel, scrapping registration and return filing clause in the new Carriers Act, reducing tyre prices by 30-35% and rolling back national permit fees from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,500.