Comments
Are cracks appearing in the nation-wide strike called by the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC)?
While an independent research body maintains that several truckers have started loading and unloading activities for long haul routes, AIMTC said the strike was total.
“Cracks have started appearing in the truckers’ strike with trucks starting to load and unload cargo started on Saturday. Carmakers and two-wheeler makers are loading cargo in the national capital region (NCR) for long hauls. Logistics centres in the region are also operating. Firms have started booking orders and are getting cargo loaded in Delhi’s vicinity,” said SP Singh, Senior Fellow, Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT).
But, AIMTC President Bhim Wadhwa reiterated that the strike was “fully on”. “We have submitted our demands to the Prime Minister’s Office,” he said. AIMTC had exempted essential goods from the purview of the strike.
Organised sector Organised players are continuing to do business, though they are feeling the impact. “We cannot afford to be part of strikes. However, there are pockets of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat where we are facing some resistance with truckers,” said an industry source, requesting anonymity.
The source maintained a clearer impact can be gauged on Monday (October 5) given the series of holidays. “Additionally, September 28 to October 12 is “shraadh” period before the Navratra (festive season) kicks off. Business activity, anyway, picks up in the festive season only.”
Toll collections issue AIMTC had called the strike with two demands – one concerned toll fees and other the government decision to deduct two per cent tax at source.
They want the government to collect toll from truckers through indirect taxes instead of at toll plazas. They also want the government to lower the level of toll charges imposed on truckers, seeking a one-time fee.
While the demand to have an electronic toll collection can be implemented faster, changing level of toll charges is difficult proposal to implement.
The demand to roll-back the decision on charging two per cent tax deducted at source concerns large fleet owners.
It is effective only on those truck owners who own more than ten trucks, according to IFTRT.
In India, over 90 per cent of truck-owners have less than 10 trucks.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.