Talks between truck operators and Government failed tonight and truckers decided to continue the strike to press their demand for an assurance from Finance Minister P Chidambaram on lifting of the proposed 10 per cent service tax.

Revenue Secretary Vineeta Rai, who held two rounds of discussion with officials of All India Motor Transport Congress on Monday, failed to persuade the apex body of truckers to withdraw the three-day-old stir which has delayed goods movement and led to shooting up of prices of fruits and vegetables.

AIMTC president B N Dhumal, who did not attend the meeting with Rai, said: "Nothing short of an assurance from the finance minister will convince us."

"The revenue secretary does not have enough powers. We had been demanding a meeting with Chidambaram or finance secretary, but the government appears unwilling to resolve the crisis," he said.

"We had second round of discussions but there will be more discussion. The strike is continuing," J M Saksena, general secretary AIMTC said after a marathon meeting lasting for over two hours.