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Truckers plan indefinite strike

BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa State Truck Owners’ Federation (OSTOF) has declared plan to go on an indefinite strike from the midnight of January 6 triggering fear of steep rise in price of essential goods in the State.

The declaration for indefinite strike came after federation’s talk with the State Transport Department failed to sort out 12 contentious issues.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, OSTOF general secretary Rabi Satpathy said, “we have submitted several memoranda to the State Government highlighting different problems being faced by truckers. But our repeated pleas went unheard. We were not even called to the discussion table.”

The All India Motor Transport Congress and All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners’ Association extended their supports to the proposed strike, which meant that trucks from neighbouring states such as West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh would not cross the State’s border, Mr. Satpathy said.

The indefinite strike is likely to hit import of essential consumer goods such as eggs, fish, vegetables, potatoes, medicine and other grocery items badly. Moreover, the iron ore export, which peaked in Orissa in recent years, would be affected, the OSTOF said.

The federation took exception to imposition of mechanical tax which was being collected under Section 177 and 190 (2) Motor Vehicle Act. “This is a gross misuse of the Act. When the State Government does not have any device to measure pollution caused by mechanical deficiency, we are charged with a monthly tax of Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 which is unjustified,” Mr. Satpathy said.

Similarly, truckers were peeved over being charged tolerance fee. “Earlier, the State Government used to forego fines in the event trucks carry 5 per cent additional load. But the practice was recently stopped without consulting truckers. There are many external reasons for increase of load but why should we be made to pay for these?” the OSTOF general secretary said.

He alleged that truckers were frequently harassed by the police at the place of accidents and while crossing state border.

The federation said fuel prices had been hiked twice during last one year but the State Government had not revised transporting cost. “One of our demands will be revision of transportation cost” Sarat Chandra Pradhan, OSTOF president, said. About 80,000 trucks are likely to take part in the strike.

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