Taking a stand against the daily rise in fuel prices, the Poona District Motor Goods Transport Association has advised truck owners to increase operational costs by 25 per cent while calling for an indefinite strike on July 26.
“We have called for an indefinite statewide strike on July 26 and will not ply our vehicles. The association has also demanded that petrol and diesel be brought under the goods and services tax (GST) regime,” said Ram Kadam, president, Poona district motor goods transport association.
He added that the price of diesel had increased by around Rs 12 in the last six months and that if fuel prices were brought under the GST regime, fuel prices would come down by at least Rs 25. He also urged the state government to decrease the value added tax (VAT) on diesel.
Ever since the government introduced daily price revision of petrol and diesel, truck owners say they have been finding it difficult to fix the cost for their services.
“I run my trucks on the basis of annual contracts and I get paid according to rates mentioned in the contract.This daily fluctuation in diesel prices have affected my business.The price of diesel when we begin a trip is different from when it ends. There is always a 10 paise to 12 paise change in diesel rate everyday. This fluctuating operational cost makes it difficult for us to fix a price for our services,” said Naganath Salunkhe,a truck owner .
{{/usCountry}}“I run my trucks on the basis of annual contracts and I get paid according to rates mentioned in the contract.This daily fluctuation in diesel prices have affected my business.The price of diesel when we begin a trip is different from when it ends. There is always a 10 paise to 12 paise change in diesel rate everyday. This fluctuating operational cost makes it difficult for us to fix a price for our services,” said Naganath Salunkhe,a truck owner .
{{/usCountry}}Sharad Mali, a truck owner, said,“We are not against increasing the price of diesel and petrol. These prices depend on market forces.However, we oppose the daily fluctuation in prices.”