Truckers nationwide go on 2-day strike against GST, fuel hike | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Truckers nationwide go on 2-day strike against GST, fuel hike

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByHT Correspondents
Oct 09, 2017 05:58 PM IST

The body of transporters claimed nearly 10 million truck operators and other transporters remained off the roads but government authorities in several places such as Mumbai and Lucknow reported negligible impact.

Hundreds of thousands of trucks went off the road on Monday as a part of a two-day nationwide strike to protest against rising diesel prices and the goods and services tax (GST).

Trucks parked at the Azadpur Mandi in New Delhi on Monday. Truck operators across the country are on a two-day strike to protest against the goods and services tax, hike in fuel prices and several other issues.(PTI Photo)
Trucks parked at the Azadpur Mandi in New Delhi on Monday. Truck operators across the country are on a two-day strike to protest against the goods and services tax, hike in fuel prices and several other issues.(PTI Photo)

The strike affected states such as West Bengal, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh but large-scale adverse effects on the prices of food or essential items were absent. Impact in trucking hubs of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra was minimal.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Transporters all over the country are up in the arms against GST, diesel prices, harassment of truck operators and corruption on roads and toll policies,” said Bal Malkit Singh, chairman of the core committee of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).

The body claimed nearly 10 million truck operators and other transporters remained off the roads but government authorities in several places such as Mumbai and Lucknow reported negligible impact.

“This is our token strike, and if the government does not do the needful, we will call an indefinite strike after Diwali,” Singh added. About a million people, including drivers, cleaners, porters and their support staff were also participating.

In West Bengal, the Calcutta Goods Transport Association (CGTA) claimed nearly 60% of 800,000 trucks in the state were off roads but another major truckers body, the Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators’ Association, didn’t participate in the strike.

“We gave relaxations to trucks carrying essential items like medicines, milk and perishable commodities like eggs, fruits and vegetables. Had the relaxation not been given, the impact of the strike would have been much more,” said CGTA president Prabhat Kumar Mittal.

In Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, the strike paralysed supplies to the vegetable and fruit hubs or mandis, sparking fears of a price spike. In Bhopal, the impact was mixed but observers said smaller towns were spared because farmers relied less on transporters. Government officials said they were still assessing the situation.

In Uttar Pradesh, around two million trucks continued normal operations as local officials said most state bodies weren’t participating.

“We don’t agree with the issues raised by the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) as it does not affect 95% of truck operators. Only bigger trucks, that too transporting cars and heavy items, are getting affected. Our trucks are operating as usual,” said Billu Tandon, general secretary of UP Truck Operators’ Federation.

“Coming under GST cannot be termed as disruptive. It will benefit small truck operators,” he added.

The strike halted goods movement across Karnataka as all trucks in the state stopped plying, AIMTC south zone general secretary GR Shanmugappa said.

In Mumbai, however, the strike generated a poor response as most trucks remained on the road.

(with inputs from Kolkata, Lucknow, Bhopal, Mumbai and agencies)

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On