Home > Business > PTI > Report
Truckers adamant, strike continues
April 22, 2003 11:47 IST
The nationwide indefinite strike by truckers, demanding stable fuel prices and fewer levies, entered the ninth day on Tuesday amidst reports of oil tankers joining the strike in few states.
On Monday, the transporters' talks with BJP leaders to resolve the issue had failed.
The protest, called by All India Motor Transport Congress has seen fruits and vegetables prices go up in some states.
"The strike is continuing," AIMTC secretary general, J M Saksena said while discounting reports of splinter groups calling off strike in Orissa and West Bengal.
"Few individuals might have withdrawn but that did not have any effect on the strike," he said.
Saksena claimed that oil tankers, transporting petrol and diesel, have joined the 'chakka-jam' agitation in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, a move that could affect fuel supplies.
The striking union said they would not withdraw their agitation on just an assurance by the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, B C Khanduri.
"We are open (to meeting him) but he should offer us something concrete," he said.
It is estimated that the strike could cost businesses Rs 20,000 crore (Rs 200 billion) a day, while truckers might lose Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) daily.
The union's demands include putting an end to frequent hike in diesel prices, immunity from a planned value-added tax, repeal of an order to scrap 15-year-old trucks and fixing of minimum freight rates.
© Copyright 2003 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
|