Transporters strike continues in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, June 12 : The indefinite strike by transporters in Jammu and Kashmir entered the fourth consecutive day today as talks between striking transporters demanding 50 per cent increase in fares and the Government failed to end the stalemate.

The representatives of all Jammu and Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association had several rounds of discussion with the three-member panel constituted the State Government on Wednesday evening but both parties failed to reach an agreement.

"Transporters demanded a reasonable hike which should be acceptable to both public and transporters. But the government is adamant and they have not budged an inch from their stand," a spokesman of the transporters said.

The fares in Kashmir have not been revised since 2005 while the oil prices have increased manifold during the period.

The transporters say the recent hike in oil prices has burdened them with losses.

The government had announced the increase in the prices of petrol and diesel by about 10 per cent and of a cylinder of cooking gas by 17 per cent, the biggest hike in fuel prices in 12 years.

ANI