8-Day Nationwide Truckers' Strike Ends After Negotiations With the Govt

The indefinite nationwide strike by truckers across the country has ended. IANS reported that around 90 lakh trucks had been off the roads since 20 July as truckers protested against high diesel prices, asked for the removal of all toll barriers across the country and reduction of the third party insurance premium. They also demanded the abolition of TDS, rationalization of income tax, the smoother functioning of the E-way bill, national permit for tourists and buses and abolition of the direct port delivery tendering system.

The strike was called upon by the All India Motor Transport Congress. Through his twitter handle, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal informed about the discussions that took place between the transporters and the government.

Government has been regularly engaging with transporters to discuss and solve all their issues. I met them last week where the meeting lasted till 2 am at night and also earlier this week. The third meeting was held today. pic.twitter.com/Le8O3Xw7TH

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) 27 July 2018

The government will be putting in place a mechanism to ensure seamless movement of transport vehicles across toll plazas with the help of technology in six months time, he said.

Transport strike is called off. Government looks forward to working with the entire transport industry including drivers, helpers etc for the benefit of the nation. pic.twitter.com/cnpZRRq90G

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) 27 July 2018

The Assocham (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) in a statement on Friday said that the nationwide strike by truckers caused an estimated direct and indirect loss of over Rs 50,000 crore to the Indian economy and the government.