Nation

As the nationwide trucker strike persists, here's all you need to know

Goods trucks across India have come to a standstill over the past four days, as a protest against unfulfilled demands put forth by truckers.
Goods trucks across India have come to a standstill over the past four days, as a protest against unfulfilled demands put forth by truckers. IN PIC: A motorist rides past trucks parked at Jahaj Ghar in Amritsar. (Photo | PTI)
Goods trucks across India have come to a standstill over the past four days, as a protest against unfulfilled demands put forth by truckers. IN PIC: A motorist rides past trucks parked at Jahaj Ghar in Amritsar. (Photo | PTI)
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The strike followed a call given by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) demanding reduction in diesel prices and quarterly revision instead of the current daily revision, ensuring seamless movement of trucks by revising road toll collection, transparency and reduction in third-party insurance premium through exemption of GST, abolition of TDS, rationalisation of presumptive income, national permit for buses and tourist vehicles and abolition of direct port delivery tendering system and streamlining port congestion. IN PIC: Stranded lorries at CMDA truck terminus in Chennai. (Express | P Jawahar)
The strike followed a call given by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) demanding reduction in diesel prices and quarterly revision instead of the current daily revision, ensuring seamless movement of trucks by revising road toll collection, transparency and reduction in third-party insurance premium through exemption of GST, abolition of TDS, rationalisation of presumptive income, national permit for buses and tourist vehicles and abolition of direct port delivery tendering system and streamlining port congestion. IN PIC: Stranded lorries at CMDA truck terminus in Chennai. (Express | P Jawahar)
According to the AIMTC, 75% of 93 lakh goods trucks across India have stayed off the road from day 1 itself, and 15 crore people are engaged in it directly or indirectly. In Tamil Nadu, some operators were forcibly suspended. In another incident, a 29-year-old lorry cleaner from Coimbatore died as protesters from Kerala threw stones at his lorry for transporting vegetables. IN PIC: A lorry driver cooks inside his idle lorry in Hyderabad. (Express | R Satish Babu)
According to the AIMTC, 75% of 93 lakh goods trucks across India have stayed off the road from day 1 itself, and 15 crore people are engaged in it directly or indirectly. In Tamil Nadu, some operators were forcibly suspended. In another incident, a 29-year-old lorry cleaner from Coimbatore died as protesters from Kerala threw stones at his lorry for transporting vegetables. IN PIC: A lorry driver cooks inside his idle lorry in Hyderabad. (Express | R Satish Babu)
Currently, certain essential supplies such as milk, medicine and water have been exempted from the strike. However, AIMTC Chairman Bal Malkit Singh has warned that these services could also be suspended if government continues to remain silent on the matter. IN PIC: Lorries remaining idle at Auto nagar near Vanasthalipuram in Hyderabad. (Express | R.Satish Babu)
Currently, certain essential supplies such as milk, medicine and water have been exempted from the strike. However, AIMTC Chairman Bal Malkit Singh has warned that these services could also be suspended if government continues to remain silent on the matter. IN PIC: Lorries remaining idle at Auto nagar near Vanasthalipuram in Hyderabad. (Express | R.Satish Babu)
As a consequence, the nation suffered losses worth Rs 10,000 crore due to the strike. Prices of vegetables and sand have spiked. The prices of grains have remained the same as they are storable and unperishable, but may increase if the strike persists. IN PIC: A driver is seen resting under a lorry at Chintamani, Madurai. (Express | KK Sundar)
As a consequence, the nation suffered losses worth Rs 10,000 crore due to the strike. Prices of vegetables and sand have spiked. The prices of grains have remained the same as they are storable and unperishable, but may increase if the strike persists. IN PIC: A driver is seen resting under a lorry at Chintamani, Madurai. (Express | KK Sundar)
So far there are no indications of the Centre initiating talks to resolve issues of the road transport sector. DMK's working president MK Stalin has urged the union government to respond. (Express | R Satish Babu)
So far there are no indications of the Centre initiating talks to resolve issues of the road transport sector. DMK's working president MK Stalin has urged the union government to respond. (Express | R Satish Babu)
The precursor of this strike was a smaller strike on June 18 this year led by All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners’ Association. Meanwhile, AIMTC has been preparing for the strike from July 18. IN PIC: A scene of idle lorries in Salem. (Express photo)
The precursor of this strike was a smaller strike on June 18 this year led by All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners’ Association. Meanwhile, AIMTC has been preparing for the strike from July 18. IN PIC: A scene of idle lorries in Salem. (Express photo)
Previously, a nationwide strike took place in October 2017, as GST was taking a toll on the diesel prices. The 2-day strike was also against the bribes that truckers had to pay to various RTO barriers. IN PIC: Rickshaw pullers and mini auto drivers sitting idle due to lorries strike at Gollapudi market yard in Vijayawada. (Express | P Ravindra Babu)
Previously, a nationwide strike took place in October 2017, as GST was taking a toll on the diesel prices. The 2-day strike was also against the bribes that truckers had to pay to various RTO barriers. IN PIC: Rickshaw pullers and mini auto drivers sitting idle due to lorries strike at Gollapudi market yard in Vijayawada. (Express | P Ravindra Babu)
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Trucker strike

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