Truck strike continues in MP

Bhopal, July 3 (UNI) The nation-wide indefinite strike of truckers, called by All India Motor Transport Congress, to press for their various long-term demands, entered second day today resulting in huge impact in Madhya Pradesh.

Bhopal Transporters Association (BTA) President Ashok Malpani said the strike caused an estimated loss of Rs 75 to Rs 100 crore in the state, including about Rs 25 crore in the state capital alone.

Mr Malpani said the BTA had allowed trucks coming from other states to proceed in order to lessen the problem of the common masses. About two lakh trucks in the state went off the road since yesterday, he added.

The BTA is supporting the nationwide strike to exert pressure on the Centre to remove transport sector from the ambit of service tax, stopping collection of illegal cess in the name of toll tax and hike in levy on BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) roads.

Mr Malpani said the main demand of transporters in the state was reduction of sales tax on diesel. Recent reduction on diesel price effected by the state government was negligible, he added.

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