Swami Bengaluru - Truck stir called off

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Truck stir called off

Written by amith
05 July 2008
The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and truck federations called off their indefinite nationwide strike on Friday.The decision to call off the strike, which began three days ago, was taken after written commitments and assurances by the Centre to fulfil the truckers’ demands at a meeting in New Delhi. Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways and Department of Road Transport and Highways have agreed to withdraw the increased toll tax effective from December 1, 2007. The ministry also promised it will not increase the toll tax for another year.The AIMTC and the Ministry decided to constitute a special committee comprising G R Shanmugam, president, Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents’ Association, members of the National Highways Authority of India and AIMTC and road sector experts to look into road-related issues including user fee rates. The Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue assured the truckers that service tax would be levied on value added services provided by goods transport agencies (GTA). Tax under GTA services would be charged only for 25 per cent of the total freight charges, as mere transportation of goods is not taxable.Both the parties decided to resolve the speed governor issue at a meeting of the transport ministers of the states to be called soon.The government also promised to direct the chief secretaries of all the states to fix the taxation on fuel (petrol and diesel) on per litre basis. Trucks started plying on Bangalore roads late in the afternoon. Truck movement was thin till late in the evening on Bangalore-Mysore Road, in Peenya, Yeshwantpur and Bangalore-Kolar Road.As soon as the news of the withdrawal of the strike spread, trucks parked on the outskirts of the City, competed with each other to reach their destinations.Some truck drivers heaved a sigh of relief as they were “restricted” to park outside the City for three days. With trucks back on roads, the pace of the traffic, which was fast for the past couple of days, slowed down. ! User reviews There are no user reviews for this item. To write a review please register or login.