Commodity prices likely to go up on transporters' nationwide strike

Prices of essential commodities and vegetables are expected to rise following an indefinite nationwide transporters’ strike by the All India Motor Transport Congress, its spokesperson said On Monday.

The strike call, given by 4,000 associations affiliated to the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), commenced from Sunday midnight following which prices of essential commodities may shoot up if it continues for the next 4-5 days, AIMTC spokesperson N L Gupta said.

Transporters have demanded that the government introduce a bailout package for the sector to address issues such as high price of diesel, tyres, and permits, besides other demands.

They have demanded reduction of diesel price by Rs 10 a litre since crude oil prices in the international market have declined drastically.

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

“There are no serious efforts from the government on resolving the transporters issues. We had meetings with the Surface Transport Ministry on Saturday and Sunday without any progress,” Gupta said.

The strike will affect the supply of daily goods and estimates are that there could be a revenue loss of above Rs 50,000 crore, a trader Pravin Chedda said here.