New Delhi, Apr 21: Fresh efforts were underway to break the deadlock between the government and the agitating transporters in a bid to end the truckers` strike, which has entered its eighth day and has hit hard both common man and industry following disruption of movement of goods across the country. With no solution in sight to the nationwide strike, the matter is likely to figure prominently in Parliament today.
The opposition parties are expected to rake up the issue as prices of essential commodities have soared by 30-50 per cent and many industries fear closure for want of raw materials.
Hopes of an early end to the strike appeared dim with the transporters yesterday rejecting a fresh appeal by government to end the stir. "We have rejected the call given by road transport ministry to end the stir as they first asked us to end the strike before coming to the negotiation table," AIMTC secretary general J M Saksena had said.
The truckers, demanding immunity from the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) regime, an end to frequent fluctuation in diesel prices and harassment by state and police authorities among others, have also been joined by small lorries and tempos. Meanwhile, the AIMTC, with 2.7 million trucks in its fold, has decided to keep supply of essentials like milk and cooking gas out of the purview of the strike till Thursday. Bureau Report