Truckers go on strike; govt refuses to scrap toll

Disrupting movement of goods in various parts of the country, apex transporters body AIMTC today went on an indefinite strike with the government refusing to scrap the existing toll system.
While supply of essential commodities like milk, vegetables and medicines have been kept out of the purview of the strike, its impact was seen in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh among other places.
While appealing to the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) to call off the strike, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the toll system can't be scrapped.
"It is up to them to continue their strike. Government cannot scrap toll. We have already assured to implement electronic tolling system pan-India by December. I appeal them to call off the strike," Gadkari told PTI.

AIMTC claims to have 87 lakh trucks and 20 lakh buses and tempos across the country under its fold. Another truckers body All India Transport Welfare Association (AITWA) has decided to keep away from the strike.
AIMTC is demanding scrapping of the existing toll system, saying it is a tool of harassment, while it is seeking a one-time payment of taxes and simplification of TDS procedure.

Gadkari said government is committed to delivering good highways to transporters and is serious that they do not have to wait at toll plazas.
AIMTC President Bhim Wadhwa said electronic toll system suggested by the minister is not a solution as "e-tolling project of the government is a failed concept... Even their pilot project has failed. The partnering banks like ICICI and Axis Bank too have distanced themselves from the project."

"Our indefinite strike is successful as per reports coming from all parts of the country," he said.
Wadhwa said one of their demands is to bring TDS provisions on transport trade in Pre-Finance Act 2015, and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has assured them to call a meeting with Chairman, CBDT on this.
"The strike has caused about Rs 1,500 crore losses to truckers and over Rs 10,000 crore loss to government on the first day," Wadhwa said.
AIMTC leader Charan Singh Lohara said: "We have stopped new bookings and delivery of goods as the truckers numbering around two lakh in the region comprising Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh have joined the strike today.