Supplies to resume soon as traders’ stir is called off

In a press note, he said the state government has assured FAM that it will carry on further negotiations with the Centre for the abolition of road transport service tax on trade and industry. Explaining the reason for withdrawing the strike, he said,“In view of the hardships caused to the consumers and the appeal from Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, the federation had decided to withdraw the strike at the present.” He said a decision on further action will be taken by FAM action committee in a meeting scheduled tomorrow. However, he added that agitation against total abolition of the service tax will be continued by the federation.

Joint general secretary, Oilseeds, Rice and Grains Associations, Ashok Bharani said that Gurnani advised him to withdraw the strike and assured that normal trading would resume from tomorrow and the prices of essential commodities will come back to normal in the next couple of days.

Food and Civil Supples secretary A Phathak also said commodity prices would come down in the next two to three days.