With the truckers? strike showing no signs of being called off, six states have invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act to maintain supplies of vital commodities: Maharashtra, Delhi, UP, Gujarat, Rajasthan and AP. ?Talks are going on in other states as well to invoke the law,? a ministry of surface transport official said.
TN is expected to follow suit. The Centre has once again indicated that it will not give in to the truckers? demands, which include a reduction in diesel prices and exemption from service and toll taxes.
Meanwhile, transporters on their fourth day off the roads continued to surrender their truck permits. In Delhi, around 700 permits were surrendered. With the movement of goods almost at a standstill, prices of food items have now begun soaring in wholesale markets.
?In the eventuality of the transporters calling off the strike, we are prepared to discuss with the states issues like free movement of goods throughout the country and rationalisation of taxes,? said Brahm Dutt, secretary, road transport & highways.