Truckers end strike, govt to form panel on demands

Truckers called off their eight-day-old strike today unconditionally after the government assured forming a committee to look into their demands, besides releasing arrested leaders of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).

"The strike has been called off. The demands of AIMTC will be looked into by a committee to be chaired by Transport Secretary Brahm Dutt," Transport Minister T R Baalu told reporters here after a second round of talks with the truckers.

He said the committee will submit a report within eight weeks on the demands raised by the AIMTC and other transporters.

"The government has agreed to consider our demands within eight weeks and also assured us release of our arrested leaders within a day or two after taking legal advice," AIMTC ex-President Gurinder Pal Singh said.

According to the agreement reached, the AIMTC will make a detailed representation on service tax notices, non-deduction of TDS from truck freight payments and cut in tyre prices by way removing import restrictions, reduction in duties and a single national permit.

The issues will be taken up by the Department of Road Transport and Highways (DoRTH) with other ministries and departments concerned.

Joint Secretary Transport SK Dash will be the convener of the committee, which will have three finance secretaries and four transport commissioners of states, along with four members from the AIMTC and one from the All India Confederation of Goods Vehicles Owners' Associations (ACOGOA).

"The committee will oversee and advise the government on on the all-India permit and other issues," Baalu said.