Truckers end strike in Telangana

The owners of lorries and other goods-carrying vehicles in Telangana today called off their strike following an assurance from the state government on their demands, including putting in place a single permit system in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The transporters, who began their strike on Tuesday night, ended their stir this morning following an assurance from Telangana Transport Minister P Mahender Reddy.
The government would constitute a committee to resolve the demands of the transporters in about three weeks, he said.
The lorry owners association leaders said they decided to call off the agitation after the government's assurance.
The owners of over 2.5 lakh lorries and other vehicles carrying goods had gone on the strike in support of a charter of 11 demands, including a single permit in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and reduction of taxes.

The lorry owners wanted governments in the two states to have an understanding for the purpose of single permit system.
The strike by the transporters hit the supply of essential items like vegetables and led to a consequent increase in prices.
The other major demands include reducing taxes and not suspending the driving licence of drivers immediately in the event of an accident, lorry owners association President Bhaskar Reddy said yesterday.