Goods movement affected in Telangana on SIMTA's strike call

The South India Motor Transport Association (SIMTA) today began an indefinite strike in Telangana for fulfilment of various demands, which has affected movement of goods.
As part of the strike, the members of the Lorry Owners' Associations in the state suspended their transportation services.
According to the Association leaders, the movement of transport vehicles has been stopped in most of the districts across Telangana.
According to SIMTA member and Telangana Lorry Owners Association secretary G Durga Prasad, around 2.7 lakh transport vehicles, including lorries and mini vehicles, are off the roads and are not transporting goods.
SIMTA has been demanding the Centre and the state governments to reduce the third party insurance prices; cut in challan and toll fees, and other RTA fees.

"Our Association members are holding protests and lorries are off the roads in several districts from 6 AM today. Loading and unloading of goods has stopped at sheds of railways," Durga Prasad said, adding that the lorries and vehicles transporting essential commodities are plying.

He said the strike will be intensified from tomorrow midnight.
Durga Prasad said the Association has been demanding a single permit system for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana among other demands.
"In undivided Andhra Pradesh, there used to be a single permit system. Currently, the lorry owners are paying Rs 5,000 every month, which earlier was charged for per year for entry into other states," he said.

The Association has also demanded the government to roll back the increase in VAT on diesel and to withdraw the proposal to scrap 15-year old vehicles.
Telangana Transport principal secretary Sunil Sharma told PTI, "We have taken all measures to ensure that transportation of essential commodities should not be affected. Most of the issues are pertaining to the Central government.