Truckers’ strike hits cargo movement; losses mount

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 3

The impact of the three-day-old truckers’ strike has started having its effect with trade and industry in Punjab and Haryana complaining of delay in shipments, resulting in losses.

However, the supply of essential goods like vegetables was normal as these items have been kept out of the purview of the indefinite strike by the truckers.

Industry insiders say that truckers' strike would have negative impact on the entire trade and industry as such indefinite protests have the potential to hit the cash flow of trade. Haryana’s handloom sector, which is one of the oldest clusters in the country, was also adversely hit.

"Overseas buyers are threatening not to buy goods if the shipments are delayed. It is a very tough time for the industry as we are not able to supply our goods to buyers in the promised time because of the transporters' strike," said Panipat-based handloom exporter Ramesh Verma.

The handloom industry based in Panipat has an export turnover of Rs 5,400 crore per annum and its overseas markets are in Europe, US, Japan, Australia, Brazil, among other countries. "The government appears to be not taking this issue seriously. It should resolve it as quickly as possible,” Verma said. 

Gurgaon, Faridabad, Karnal, Ambala and Hisar were the other industrial towns from where the reports of the adverse impact of the strike have come in. Meanwhile, Rajinder Kumar, Secretary, Chandigarh Market Committee, said the supply of vegetables and fruits was normal.

"There is no disruption in the supply of vegetables and fruits from other parts of the country," he said. He said some vegetable or fruit sellers in the retail market were spreading rumours about shortages to charge more from customers. The bilateral trade between India and Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah land route was also normal. Truckers under the banner of the All-India Motor Transport Congress have been demanding scrapping of the existing toll system and seeking one-time payment of taxes.