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A section of truckers under goods vehicles umbrella body ACOGOA went on an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, protesting a hike in diesel prices, among other issues.
According to the organisation, the strike had vast impact in West Bengal and Karnataka.
Another transporters apex body, AIMTC, however, alleged that today’s chakkajam was orchestrated by a small section and had no impact and called for a nationwide strike from July 20 on similar issues.
Both the bodies, All India Confederation of Goods Vehicles Owners Association (ACOGOA) and All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), claim membership of over 80 lakh truckers each.
“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,” said ACOGOA General Secretary RS Bhasin.
“The impact of the strike is more in West Bengal and Karnataka. We have exempted essential supplies from the strike as we do not want to cause inconvenience to the common masses,” he said.
Bhasin said the truckers are a harassed lot as the government charges ₹8 per litre on diesel as cess for road building, and another ₹8 per litre as toll from multi-axle vehicles for using roads, which he called unfair.
He said the daily fluctuation in fuel prices is frustrating but nothing has been done in this regard despite repeated representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as also the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Finance and Shipping.
Mixed reaction in TN
There has been a mixed reaction in Tamil Nadu to the truckers strike.
A press release from ACOGOA spokesperson MY Ganesh said Tamil Nadu has reported an above normal response like in other States.
Over 40 lakh vehicles have been halted, with revenue loss to the exchequer exceeding ₹800 crores for the day.
A trucker affiliated with the association in Chennai said that nearly two lakh trucks did not ply in the State.
However, truck owners in Namakkal, the hub of the truck industry in the southern region, said there was no impact due to the strike. “All the trucks are plying here. We will participate in the strike only on July 20 as announced by the All India Motor Transport Congress,” R Vangili, President, Namakkal Taluk Lorry Owners Association, told BusinessLine .
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