Truckers call off eight-day strike unconditionally
After an eight-day stand-off, the transporters’ strike finally ended on Monday with All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) deciding to restore normal transport services unconditionally.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: After an eight-day stand-off, the transporters��� strike finally ended on Monday with All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) deciding to restore normal transport services unconditionally. The breakthrough was achieved after several rounds of meetings between the ministry of road transport, state transport commissioners and transport operators.
On its part, the government has agreed to set up a high-level committee for redressal of transporters��� grievances and has assured release of AIMTC president Charan Singh and 31 other associates who were arrested under Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). ���The transporters have agreed to call-off their strike unconditionally.
A redressal grievance mechanism will be set up under transport secretary, Brahm Dutt. The committee will have members from AIMTC and state governments. It will submit its report in eight weeks,��� said transport minister TR Baalu.
The week-long strike had threatened to cripple the movement of essential commodities reviving fears of another round of price rise. Early in 2008, price rise forced the government to take several fiscal and monetary measures to contain inflation. The government this time asked states to invoke ESMA to ensure uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities.
���On the issues relating to service tax notices, reduction in prices of tyres, rationalisation of taxes, AIMTC would submit a detailed report to the ministry who would, in turn, take up the matter with the concerned ministries and departments,��� said former president of AIMTC Gurinder Pal Singh.
The government also clarified that the July 2008 agreement, where the government had assured that toll rates will not be revised on the government-funded road projects for one year, will be implemented.
The rates applicable would be those prior to December, 2007. Earlier, the transport-operators��� went on a nationwide strike after three rounds of failed talks with the government.
They were demanding a reduction in diesel prices by Rs 10, free movement of trucks without any state permit, waiver of interest on truck finance and toll tax for one year and exemption from collecting service tax, among others.
On its part, the government has agreed to set up a high-level committee for redressal of transporters��� grievances and has assured release of AIMTC president Charan Singh and 31 other associates who were arrested under Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). ���The transporters have agreed to call-off their strike unconditionally.
A redressal grievance mechanism will be set up under transport secretary, Brahm Dutt. The committee will have members from AIMTC and state governments. It will submit its report in eight weeks,��� said transport minister TR Baalu.
The week-long strike had threatened to cripple the movement of essential commodities reviving fears of another round of price rise. Early in 2008, price rise forced the government to take several fiscal and monetary measures to contain inflation. The government this time asked states to invoke ESMA to ensure uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities.
���On the issues relating to service tax notices, reduction in prices of tyres, rationalisation of taxes, AIMTC would submit a detailed report to the ministry who would, in turn, take up the matter with the concerned ministries and departments,��� said former president of AIMTC Gurinder Pal Singh.
The government also clarified that the July 2008 agreement, where the government had assured that toll rates will not be revised on the government-funded road projects for one year, will be implemented.
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The rates applicable would be those prior to December, 2007. Earlier, the transport-operators��� went on a nationwide strike after three rounds of failed talks with the government.
They were demanding a reduction in diesel prices by Rs 10, free movement of trucks without any state permit, waiver of interest on truck finance and toll tax for one year and exemption from collecting service tax, among others.
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