Truckers defer all-India strike

The All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has deferred its decision to call an indefinite all-India strike and 'chakka jam' from 6 August after a government assurance that it would look into the truckers' demands. A decision to go on a stir in South India from the early hours of Monday too has been postponed.

The ministry of road transport and highways on Saturday evening gave a written assurance to the transporters that it would resolve pending issues and redress problems faced by truckers within 10 days. It also made an appeal to all transport associations, including the Bombay Goods Transport Association and the Maharashtra Truck Owners Association, to refrain from going on strike.

AIMTC president G R Shanmugappa said the decision to defer the protest was taken following an assurance from the centre that it would consider their demands by 10 August, when the new secretary of the ministry will hold a meeting with them.

The truckers' federation, which claims to have a membership of 62 lakh lorry-owners, was told by the centre that the issues raised by them relating to the toll collection practices were complex and required in-depth study of the relevant acts and rules as well as the policy of the government.

Besides seeking rationalisation of the toll charges, the AIMTC also wanted a high-level probe, either by the Central Bureau of Investigation or a parliamentary panel, into the toll collection policy. Other issues included corruption in the RTO and police, exorbitant toll rates, increasing taxes and higher fuel prices.

Shanmugappa told a newspaper, "We will give the centre a 10-day deadline to resolve our issues. The strike date will be deferred accordingly. But they cannot test our patience. We had previously given them a 90-day period, but they failed to meet our demands.''