Trucker-trader stand-off hits trade at Attari check post

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 21

Trade between India and Pakistan at Integrated Check Post (ICP) remained halted on the second day today following a tiff between truckers and traders over freight charges and overloading of vehicles.

With the Attari Truck Union (ATU) members observing indefinite strike, there has been zero lifting of goods imported from across the border.

Deputy Commissioner, Customs, Jasmeet Singh said, “With lifting coming to a halt, imported goods such as gypsum, cement, dry dates, dry fruits, glass and salt from Pakistan have been piling up on the yard. There must be 120-125 truckloads of these goods rotting at the ICP. Export too was not executed on normal course, but some goods were dispatched during the stand-off.”

The truckers claimed that importer Gursajan Bedi, who has his own fleet of trucks, had been flouting trade norms by overloading his vehicles and offering carriage at low rates. “We met the SDM today and submitted our representation. With no solution in sight, we have decided to go on with our ‘chakka jam’ decision,” they said.

On the other hand, Bedi contested that he had raised his own transportation to cut down his logistic costs. “How can they monopolise and bound the traders to utilise their services only?” he asked.

The traders too have refused to bow down to the diktats of the truck union that insists all Punjab-bound trucks be hired through ATU.

Anil Mehra, president of the Karyana and Dry Fruit Merchants, said, “It’s a competitive world. We are free to prefer those transporters who offer us lesser rates. We have been receiving queries from the Pakistan High Commission regarding the stand-off.”

Deputy Commissioner Basant Garg said both parties would be called to resolve the dispute at the earliest.