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Indian Truckers strike enters 3rd Day, demands for lower fuel

by Sanjay Jha | January 6, 2009 at 09:06 pm

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Truckers in India continued their strike on the third day demanding for lower diesel prices. More than 4 million truckers have gone on strike from Monday for their long pending demands.

More than 70 per cent of freight in India moves by road, but the country's transport companies have been hit by a slowing economy, higher interest rates on vehicle loans and greater competition from the railways.

More than four million Indian truckers, who haul a majority of the nation’s goods, began a strike on Monday, demanding the government reduce fuel prices and waive toll charges for six months.
The drivers want the government to cut the price of diesel by Rs10 a litre, S. Venugopal, secretary general of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), said by phone. Truckers also want an exemption from service tax, Charan Singh Lohara, president of AIMTC, had said on 26 December.The strike by the truckers across the country may cause shortages and hamper the transportation of food and manufactured products. The truckers decided on the strike after talks with the government failed, Venugopal said.
Meanwhile, the government on Monday threatened to cancel permits of the striking truckers and separately asked the states to ensure supply of essential commodities to the public.