Truckers on strike to protest diesel price hike

Truckers launched an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday urging the government to meet their demands including lowering of diesel prices and bringing petro products under GST.

According to All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners Association (AICGVOA), around 54 lakh trucks were off the roads and the protest would be intensified from Tuesday. On day one, goods supplies, including perishable food items, were not hit. But if the strike continues, the supply chain may be affected, admitted officials in the Union Ministry of Transport.

Another transporters apex body AIMTC claimed that the stir was orchestrated by a small section and had no impact and called for a nationwide strike from July 20.

“About 40 lakh goods vehicles owners, mostly truckers have joined strike nationwide to protest against rising diesel prices, dual taxation and hike in third party insurance premium,” AICGVOA General Secretary R S Bhasin said. The effect was more in West Bengaland Karnataka, he added

Truckers were off the roads in Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and several other parts, officials said.