DMK, PMK question State and Centre's silence on truckers stir

The DMK and the PMK here have questioned the silence of the central and state governments over the impasse on the truckers' strike as the transporters continued with their stir for the fourth consecutive day today, hitting supply of goods to various parts of the country.
"While the government is firm in not accepting the truckers' demands, on whose interest are the state and central governments remaining silent on the issue?," Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M Karunanidhi asked in a statement.
Quoting media reports to say that about Rs 50,000 crore worth of goods are lying unused across the country due to the strike, he said supply of vegetables and other perishable goods from the main Koyambedu Vegetable market to other parts of the state had already dropped by 20 per cent.

"The Centre and state governments, without any further delay, should hold talks with the truckers and take steps to put an end to the strike," he said.
Paattaali Makkal Katchi (PMK) chief S Ramadoss said tanker lorries also planned to join the strike in the coming days, which could possibly worsen the situation.
"Due to the strike 50 lakh employees have already lost their jobs," he claimed in a statement.
Ramadoss further slammed the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu for "failing" to exert pressure on the central government over the issue.
All India Motor Transport Congress, representing truckers are on strike since Oct 1, pressing for various demands, which include scrapping of existing toll system, seeking a one-time payment of taxes and simplification of TDS procedure.