Trucks went off the roads on Monday,following a strike call by the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC). The demands of the organisation: reduction in diesel prices by Rs 10 and rationalisation of tyre prices. With the huge reduction in crude oil prices,diesel prices should also be decreased. The truck operators,meanwhile,are at a suffering end,considering an increase in the toll tax between Chandigarh and Delhi. The government has failed to address the concerns of the transporters. We are left with no option but to stay off the roads. We support the strike and it would go on indefinitely till our demands are met, said Devi Dayal Sharma,general secretary,All India Trade Union Congress. While the first day of the strike had little impact,traders in the city expressed fears that if continued for long,the strike would soon lead to shortage in fruits,vegetables and other essential commodities. The available stocks will not last for more than two to three days. It would mean serious trouble for the public as essential commodities will be unavailable, said Rakesh Kumar,a vegetable commission agent. Transporters were dissatisfied with the cut in diesel prices by Rs 2,as announced by the government in the last month.
