The Hindu Business Line : Supply lines stay hit as stir continues

THE nation-wide indefinite strike called by the transporters entered the fifth day on Friday with no signs of a breakthrough in sight to end the stir.

The strike has hit the supply of essential commodities and consumers are burdened by the soaring prices of fruits and vegetables.

Mr J.M. Saxena, Secretary-General of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), the largest truckers' union with 2.7 million vehicles in its fold, said the union would intensify their agitation if the demands of the transporters were not accepted soon by the Government.

"There is no change in our stand as far as the demands are concerned. Instead of feigning helplessness in resolving many our demands since it involved other ministries and departments of the Government, the Road Transport Minister should have convened a meeting between the transporters and the Government which involved representatives from the Petroleum, Finance and Law Ministries", Mr Saxena said.

According to reports, the strike has also affected the supply of components and other raw materials to different manufacturing units while cargo movement from ports and export consignments have been badly affected.

The truckers' demands include putting an end to the frequent hike in diesel prices, non-inclusion in the proposed value-added tax, repeal of an order to scrap 15-year-old trucks, scrapping of toll tax and checking overloading of vehicles.

Being a Central Government holiday, no talks were scheduled between the Government and the transporters on Friday.

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