Truckers call off strike after govt. agrees to consider demands

TIL Desk/Business/New Delhi/ Transporters have called off their eight-day long strike after the government agreed to consider their demands, bringing relief to the industry mainly FMCG, ecommerce and auto players who were hit by the disruption in supplies.  A joint statement from the ministry of road transport and highways and the All India Motor Transport Congress said, “The agitation by the AIMTC stands withdrawn immediately.”

The decision to end the stir was taken after a marathon meeting of transporters and senior Road Transport and Highways Ministry officials today.  The truckers’ body, that claims support of 93 lakh truckers across the country, had gone on an indefinite strike on July 20 to press for their demands such as reduction in diesel prices, low third-party insurance premiums, and a favourable toll collection system.

Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “The AIMTC has called off its strike on the appeal of the government. The government is sensitive towards the demands of the transporters. It has agreed to their many demands already and to consider the rest it has constituted a high-level committee.”

 The committee will be set up under the road transport, highways secretary and it will submit its report within three months.   It has been agreed that the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India will discuss on Saturday the demand to review the premium for third-party insurance for heavy vehicles, the statement said.