M A I N   N E W S

Day 3
No pact on truckers’ strike
Prices of perishable commodities begin to head north
Girja Shankar Kaura
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 7
On the third day of the truckers’ strike today, both the transporters and the government remained adamant on their stance even as the prices of perishable commodities started showing a rise.

While the government quarters concerned did not show any signs of giving in to the truckers’ threats, the latter said “they were even ready to surrender their permits but would not end the agitation till their demands were accepted”.

All-India Motor Transport Congress chairman Gurinder Pal Singh said: “We are ready to submit our permits. But under no circumstances will the strike be called off unless all our demands are met.” Seeking the intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the matter, the truckers threatened to hit the roads if the government did take an early decision.

On its part, the government, besides taking other steps, today roped in the Railways to maintain the supply of essential commodities. It also asked the states to handle the situation firmly and act under the provisions of Essential Commodities Act and National Security Act and impound trucks if needed.

According to reports, the prices of perishable goods rose by about 20 per cent over the past two days following the strike. The prices of other commodities, however, remained steady.

As per the data published on agmarknet.nic, the website maintained by the Agriculture ministry, prices of most of the food items remained steady, thereby showing no impact of the strike.

Notably, the truckers went off the roads late on Sunday in support of their demands, main being reduction in diesel prices, exemption in service and toll taxes and a single permit for nationwide transportation.

While the strike has affected Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Karnataka, there has been partial impact in Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.