A day after road and transport and highways minister TR Baalu asked striking transporters to come forward for talks, the ministry on Sunday urged them to call off the strike and resume normal operations.
?Taking to strike at such a crucial time when there is a slowdown in the economy is very unfortunate. We appeal the All India Motor Transport Congress to call off strike and resume operations,? said Brahm Dutt, secretary, road transport and highways.
?We are in constant touch with the representatives of the striking transporters and are open for talks on important issues like national permit,? he added. The issue of national permit will also be taken up at the meeting with the state transport ministers on Monday. The meeting has been called up to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities across the country.
?The states? role in the transport sector is very crucial. They are the law enforcing institution at the ground level, and from collect taxes and issue permits. So in the meeting, the problems raised by the transporters will be taken up with the states and important issues like improving the national permit system will be discussed,? said Dutt.
Meanwhile, the government while accepting that the strike has affected inter-state movement of goods as well as transportation of industrial products, said truckers have resumed services in many areas.