The state’s transport unions have decided to keep off the nationwide strike to be observed by the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) on October 1.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Himachal Truck Operators Federations in Nalagarh today. They, however, extended support to the demands of the AIMTC.
Naresh Gupta, general secretary of the federation, said since the apple season was under way, they did not want to cause losses to horticulturists by joining the one-day strike. He said it would also hit vegetable growers whose livelihood was dependent solely on cash crops.
The truckers said it was unfortunate that the national body of the AIMTC did not take them into consideration while finalising the date for the strike. They said the national-level body did not have a representative from the state.
Gupta said the government should accept the just demands of the AIMTC. He said: The amount spent on roads where toll barriers have been set up should be displayed.”
He said it had come to their notice that contractors continued to charge entry tax from commuters even on roads constructed in 1983. The toll barriers should display the time period within which the expenditure incurred on constructing the roads would be recovered and no undue charging of entry fee should be allowed for years together.
Another issue pertaining to national permits (NP) was also discussed at the meeting. Members demanded single-window clearance for various works.
They said although under the NP norms, an operator could travel across the nation for 12 years but they were barred from entering states such as Delhi. The members said after 12 years, the truckers should be given a permit for their home states along with three neighbouring states so that they could repay loan taken to purchase trucks.
The members said they would procure information on the tax charged on petroleum products to prepare a strategy on the rising fuel cost. Issues such as regular repair and maintenance of roads to reduce wear and tear were also discussed during the meeting.
The federation also decided to hold four meetings in a year to pursue issues of 70,000 transporters of the state. They also demanded representation in the AIMTC.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the truck operator unions from Baddi, Barotiwala, Nalagarh, Mehatpur, Paonta Sahib, Mandi, Ner Chownk and Damtal.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Himachal Truck Operators Federations in Nalagarh today. They, however, extended support to the demands of the AIMTC.
Naresh Gupta, general secretary of the federation, said since the apple season was under way, they did not want to cause losses to horticulturists by joining the one-day strike. He said it would also hit vegetable growers whose livelihood was dependent solely on cash crops.
The truckers said it was unfortunate that the national body of the AIMTC did not take them into consideration while finalising the date for the strike. They said the national-level body did not have a representative from the state.
Gupta said the government should accept the just demands of the AIMTC. He said: The amount spent on roads where toll barriers have been set up should be displayed.”
He said it had come to their notice that contractors continued to charge entry tax from commuters even on roads constructed in 1983. The toll barriers should display the time period within which the expenditure incurred on constructing the roads would be recovered and no undue charging of entry fee should be allowed for years together.
Another issue pertaining to national permits (NP) was also discussed at the meeting. Members demanded single-window clearance for various works.
They said although under the NP norms, an operator could travel across the nation for 12 years but they were barred from entering states such as Delhi. The members said after 12 years, the truckers should be given a permit for their home states along with three neighbouring states so that they could repay loan taken to purchase trucks.
The members said they would procure information on the tax charged on petroleum products to prepare a strategy on the rising fuel cost. Issues such as regular repair and maintenance of roads to reduce wear and tear were also discussed during the meeting.
The federation also decided to hold four meetings in a year to pursue issues of 70,000 transporters of the state. They also demanded representation in the AIMTC.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the truck operator unions from Baddi, Barotiwala, Nalagarh, Mehatpur, Paonta Sahib, Mandi, Ner Chownk and Damtal.
