Striking truckers invited for talks by Kerala govt on Monday

Truckers' strike, seeking quick vehicle clearance at Walayar check post in Kerala, today continued for the third consecutive day, badly hitting cargo movement even as the state government called for a meeting to resolve the issue on Monday.
State Finance Minister K M Mani said demands raised by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) were being considered by the Kerala government.
He said the truck operators should call off the strike as talks have called for April 6.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will be present during the talks.
Meanwhile, National Managing Committee member, N P Velu, told PTI that the demands are not new.

"It is known to Kerala government as we had held a similar strike in 2013 July," he said adding the AIMTC was awaiting an invite to resolve the issue.

If only the state government had carried out whatever it had committed to do in 2013 like a green channel, ten counters at check post, the situation would not have come to such a pass, he said.
Truckers association in other parts of Tamil Nadu like Namakkal and Salem vehicles destined to Kerala via Walayar were asked not to stop the vehicle at the border.
Increasing counters at the Walayar check post at Kerala from three to ten, installing scanning machines, a green channel for goods like steel and cement, parking lot, basic amenities like drinking water and toilets are the major demands.

Sales tax authorities of Kerala take a minimum of ten hours to a maximum of fifteen hours to clear a single truck at Walayar, AIMTC had said.
The trucks carry a variety of consignments ranging from vegetables, textile and electronics across Walayar, the gateway to Kerala, everyday.