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Food shortage feared as truckers in India go on strike
Over six million trucks went off roads across India in the early hours on Monday, a day after talks with the government over their demand to reduce prices of diesel and tyres failed.
- IANS
- Published: 13:48 January 5, 2009
New Delhi: Over six million trucks went off roads across India in the early hours on Monday, a day after talks with the government over their demand to reduce prices of diesel and tyres failed. Traders voiced fears of food shortages as the indefinite strike started.
The truckers started their strike following a call given by the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) after last-minute talks with Road, Transport and Highways Secretary Brahm Dutt failed to break the deadlock on Sunday.
Demands
AIMTC's main demands include a Rs10 (Dh0.78) reduction in diesel price and rationalisation of tyre prices in view of the economic slowdown.
"The government has given economic support to several industries following the global downturn. But it has not given a thought towards the problems faced by the transport industry in recession. We also want a bailout package for survival," AIMTC president Charan Singh Lohara said on Monday.
He said the government has failed to address concerns of the transporters. "We are left with no option but to stay off roads. I haven't heard anything from the government recently."
AIMTC secretary S. Venugopal said: "We are on an indefinite strike. We never wanted such a situation. We have tried our best to sort out the issue with the government. But the government does not seem to be interested in our demands. We have been forced to take this drastic step."
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