The Hindu
NEW DELHI, Jan 13: Truckers on Monday called off their eight-day old strike after the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and the Road Transport Ministry agreed to sort out their demands in consultation with the State governments.
The announcement was made in the presence of Union Road Transport Minister T.R.Baalu, who held a series of meetings with AIMTC office bearers and Transport Ministers from the States and Union Territories in the day.
Minister’s promise
While the AIMTC promised to restore transport services immediately, Mr. Baalu reciprocated by assuring early release of 32 members of AIMTC, including its president Charan Singh Lohara.
Mr. Baalu rallied the State Transport Ministers to collectively examine the truckers’ demands relating to do away the present system and having one single national permit and rationalise taxes levied by the States.
After agreeing to the proposals, the State representatives unanimously appealed to the agitating truckers to call off their strike.
Mr. Baalu successfully got the AIMTC to the table and sign an agreement with his department.
As per the agreement, a 14-member committee will be set up under the chairmanship of Road Transport Secretary Brahm Dutt to consider the issue of motor vehicle taxes, one single national permit and other vehicle related cases.
The committee has been directed to submit its report within eight weeks.
The other members of the committee would be three Finance Ministers and four transport commissioners from the States, four members of the AIMTC, one member of the All India Confederation of Goods Vehicles Owners’ Association (ACOGOA) and Union Road Transport Department joint secretary Saroj Kumar Dash, who will be the convener of the committee.
According to official sources, the States have come round to accept the demand of one single national permit but their concern was over sharing the receipts uniformly. The committee would address this issue.
A grievance redressal mechanism would be put in place both at the level of the Centre and in the States so as to consider the demands and problems of the transporters.
As for reduction in prices of diesel and tyres, and notices issued with regards to service tax, Mr. Baalu promised to take up their cause with the Ministries concerned. He made it clear the decision on diesel prices were considered only at the Cabinet level.
The AIMTC was also assured that toll taxes would not be increased till July 3, 2009 and that rates prior to December 1, 2007 would be applicable.
The former president of AIMTC, Gurinder Pal Singh, who signed on behalf of the striking truckers, said the strike was called off in national interest and the assurances given to them by Mr. Baalu.