FOPSIA to oppose political parties assuring revival of truck unions

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 9

The Federation of Punjab Small Industries Associations (FOPSIA) have decided to oppose political parties which are assuring reconstitution of truck unions in the state. Recently, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have announced to revive truck unions in Punjab.

FOPSIA president Badish Jindal said multinational companies were scared to invest in the state and the local industry was fed up of cartelisation of truck unions. It was the main reason that even after formation of the Invest Punjab Policy in 2013, the industries showed no interest in investment in the state. Looking at all these factors, the Congress government decided to ban 134 truck unions in the state in 2017. This was a major relief for the trade and industry of the state. The Congress approved the Punjab Goods Carriages (Regulation and Prevention of Cartelisation Rules), 2017, that prohibits truck operators from forming cartels or unions in the state.

The notification issued by the then Transport Department said the government was desirous of regulating the operations of goods carriages of all types with the object of bringing an end to cartelisation and consequent exploitation of consignors and consignees of goods by such formal or informal unions” including the truck unions.

“The end of truck unions is must for the smooth and fearless development of the industries in the state and if any party will support such moves, the industry will oppose them in the upcoming elections. The FOPSIA will soon arrange meetings with other industrial organisations of the state to oppose the parties which have announced such promises which may destroy the industry of state,” Jindal said.

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