Truckers strike ends; AIMTC threatens more action if issues

The 2-day token strike by truckers, which hit supplies pan India, concluded today with transporters body AIMTC threatening more action again after Diwali if the issues raised by it are not resolved.
Claiming losses of Rs 4,000 crore to the sector during the 2-day strike, AIMTC said the government held meeting with its representatives and if there are no concrete results, an indefinite "chakka jam" will follow after Diwali.
Truck operators across the country were on a 2-day token strike against GST, high diesel prices, harassment by authorities on roads and toll policies, said the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).

"Our two-day 'chakka jam' (strike) during October 9 and 10 remained successful with supplies remaining hit across the country barring essential goods," said Bal Malkit Singh, chairman of the core committee of AIMTC, the apex truckers body which had given the strike call.
"We have estimated losses to the transport sector at about Rs 4,000 crore during the two days," he said.
Singh said finance ministry officials held talks with the association regarding the Goods and Services Tax which were "positive".

The ministry, he said, has assured of looking into the GST issues after holding consultations with the law ministry.

"This was only a token strike called by AIMTC and if no concrete results come from this exchange and discussion (with finance ministry) then an indefinite 'Chakka Jam' will be called post Diwali," he said.
There is much resentment among transporters across the country, Singh said, adding that a delegation will also meet the ministries of petroleum as well as the road transport and highways to discuss issues related to diesel/petrol, tolls and check posts.
He said 12 crore people are associated with the transport sector and it is high time the government rationalised taxes on diesel and reduce its prices in line with the international market.

He added that diesel must be brought under the ambit of GST to bring uniformity of pricing across the country, and the prices should be revised on quarterly basis.
Trucks were seen off the roads in many parts of the country including the national capital.
In Mumbai, truck-operators staged protest march from the Vashi Truck terminal to JNPT Port.
AIMTC, with over 93 lakh truck operators in its ambit claimed support from several transporter bodies.
The Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training, on the other hand, termed the transporters strike as a flop show.
IFTRT coordinator SP Singh said industrial belts across the country were largely unaffected by the strike.

AIMTC claimed support from all major bodies including the Federation of Bombay Motor Transport Operators, Bombay Transport Cooperative Consumers Society and Maharashtra Tanker Lorry Owners Association.