Truck operators continue strike on second day
Vijayawada: Transport operators strike continued on the second day on Saturday across the State disrupting the transport services. The truck operators are taking part in the strike as part of nationwide strike which began on July 21 demanding that the Union government reduce the fuel prices, toll gate taxes and third party insurance premium.
The All India Motor Transport has given a call for nation-wide indefinite strike after many months of discussions with the Union government. More than three lakh trucks including over 35,000 in Krishna district alone were off the roads on the second consecutive day on Saturday. Hanumanpet, Islampet and Auto Nagar in Vijayawada are well known for transport offices with hectic loading and unloading activity. But, due to the impact of the truck operators’ strike there is no activity in these areas. Besides, traffic on the national highways of Chennai-Kolkata and Hyderabad-Machilipatnam also came down in the city limits due to impact of strike.
The truck operators have determined to continue the strike till the government concedes their demand, said Y V Eswara Rao, General Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners Association. He said the truck operators are facing many hardships due to hike in diesel prices and high taxes collected by the State and Central governments. He said there is no uniformity in the diesel price in the country. He pointed out that Andhra Pradesh government is collecting Rs 4 extra on the sale of every litre diesel in the State when compared to other states. He said both Central and State governments should resolve their problems. Truck operators are also worried over the increase of third party insurance premium which went up from Rs 6,000 to Rs 48,000 in the last few years.
K Subhani, a truck operator, Sanath Nagar, Vijayawada, said he was facing many problems to maintain two trucks due to increasing maintenance expenses and shortage of drivers. He said many truck owners have sold their vehicles and quit the business unable to bear the growing expenses. Adusumilli Sadasiva Rao, General Secretary of the Krishna District Lorry Owners Association, stating that transport sector is one of the major livelihood providing sectors in the State and country, demanded that the State and Central governments concede their justified demands.