Transporters threaten to go on strike from April 1

New Delhi: Transporters body AIMTC today warned 75 lakh trucks and 40 lakh buses will stop plying from April 1 if demands, including withdrawal of hike in diesel prices and rollback of hike in third party insurance premium, are not met.

Disappointed over no concrete response to their demands from the Road Transport and Highways (RTH) Ministry, All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) officials said several rounds of talks with senior officials were in vain. AIMTC, an apex body of transporters (both cargo and passenger) is demanding recall of the hike in third party insurance premium, rollback of partial de-control of diesel prices and removal of anti-dumping duty on import of tyres saying these issues have adversely impacted road transport sector. "We would be forced to keep our 75 lakh trucks and 40 lakh buses off the roads if the government fails to address our demand by March 30. The nationwide indefinite strike, as per our estimates, would cost Rs 2,200 crore per day to the economy," AIMTC President Bal Malkit Singh told reporters here. AIMTC Vice President Kultaran Singh Atwal said, "We would be left with no other option than to surrender 20 lakh permits to the government from April 1 onwards in Delhi itself if the government does not pay attention to our demands." The officials added that the "exorbitant hike in third party insurance premium, issues on toll, de-control of diesel prices and its increase in small doses, anti-dumping duty on import of tyres" were putting huge pressure on the transport sector. The Third Party car insurance policy covers legal liability for any compensation to be paid arising from accident caused by one`s vehicle. It includes liability for death or injury to third parties like pedestrians, occupant of other vehicles, and outsiders other than passengers. Truckers have raised concern over third party insurance premium being hiked substantially for goods vehicles. AIMTC is also demanding industry status for the Road Transport sector, fixation of minimum freight rates for the sector, action against states indulging in illegal entry etc. The body has also said it has been trying to engage with the government in a constructive and positive maaner for the growth and development of the road transport. PTI