Truckers' stir:govt buses to carry farm produce free of charge

The Tamil Nadu Government today directed transport corporations to carry farm produce in government buses free of charge as the nationwide truckers' strike entered the second day today.

As many as 4.50 lakh trucks in Tamil Nadu are off the roads since yesterday as part of the indefinite strike called by the truckers to press their charter of demands which include reduction of diesel prices.

However, trucks ferrying essential commodities have been exempted from the strike.

An official release from the state transport department said, "in view of the lorry strike, orders have been issued to the managing directors of the transport corporations to allow buses to carry farm products free of charge without causing any hindrance to other passengers."