Transporters on indefinite strike, inflation may go high

The prices of essential commodities and vegetables are likely to go up as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) - the union of over 4000 transport associations- has called an indefinite nationwide strike in response of three times talk failure with the road transport ministry.

As much as 4000 associations have joined us with their own will, while we have not forced anyone in this strike, said S Venugopal, Secretary General of AIMTC to media. This strike may go long, if government does not accept our demand, he added.

Informing about the transporters’ demand, he said that despite steep fall in the crude oil and rubber prices in the international market, government is not in the mood of slashing price of diesel nor forcing rubber companies to reduce the price in the line of international market rate.

The reduction of Rs.2 in diesel was not enough, while government had assured the transporters to review the price of diesel, and the representatives of AIMTC had observed that government was not taking the matter seriously as it had not initiated any firm step to deduct the price of diesel by Rs.10 as transporters were demanding, Venugopal said.

Besides oil price issues, the transporters were also asking to diminish the rising prices of tyres as the prices of rubber in the international market has been fell down up to 60% and the excise duty has also been reduced but the tyre prices remain the same. The government should take measures to force the companies to cut the tyre prices by 30-35%, AIMTC demands.

Moreover, in other demands of AIMTC are: to uniform levied Value Added Tax by 4%, eliminating the sections of mandatory requirement of registration and return filing requirements in the new Carriers Act, restoring the national permit fees from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,500, AIMTC representative informed to media.

If the government does not meet with transports’ demands, over 4000 transporters associations will not operate trucks and there would be heavy revenue losses, said Venugopal.

In lack of transportation, the prices of vegetables and other essential commodities may soar soon as there is only two to three days stock and later the strike of truckers association would hit hard to essential goods prices, a spokesperson for traders informed in Delhi.