PIL on truckers' strike: SC to wait for outcome of talks

The SC today said it will wait and watch the outcome of the negotiations between the Govt and truckers on the ongoing nation-wide strike which has entered its eighth day.

The Supreme Court on Monday said it will wait and watch the outcome of the negotiations between the government and truckers on the ongoing nation-wide strike which has entered its eighth day.

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The apex court noted that there have been reports that the government has taken some steps for resolving the deadlock and already there are signs that trucks are back on road in some states like Maharashtra.

"We have come to know that the Transport Ministry has summoned leaders of the transport associations to discuss the issue," a Bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan said when a petition relating to the truckers' strike came for hearing before it.

"Government is also contemplating some action," the Bench, also comprising Justices P Sathasivam and RM Lodha, observed and added that it was "not undermining" the issues raised in the petition.

The Bench asked advocate Sunder Khatri, who has filed the PIL against the strike by the truckers, to wait till January 16.

The advocate was told by the Bench that the transporters have called off their strike in Maharashtra and reports suggested that in some more states the truckers will follow suit.

Khatri said immediate action was needed against the striking transporters as the common citizens have been the worst sufferers due to the cut in supply of essential commodities.

The advocate sought a direction to declare the strike as "illegal" and for cancelling the permit of the striking transporters.

The PIL contended that the strike by the transporters was illegal under the Essential Commodities Act.