Truckers join nationwide stir against fuel hike

Kolkata: A section of truckers in West Bengal joined a nationwide indefinite transport strike called by the All-India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners’ Association that began on Monday, which the state government said has had a marginal effect so far.

The Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators’ Association general secretary Subhas Chandra Bose claimed that most of the truck owners in the state have joined the strike demanding lowering of diesel prices or bringing petro products under GST.

“Almost 80 per cent trucks in the state, including those operating in the North Bengal districts of Coochbehar, ALipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Malda and Murshidabad have gone off the roads,” Bose said.

The state’s principal secretary, transport, Alapan Bandopadhayay, said the strike has had a marginal effect in the state.

“The strike by the transporters’ body will not have much of an effect on goods supply, including perishable food items, in the state,” he said.

Mr Bandopadhyay said the state government was in regular dialogue with the truck operators’ organisation over various issues.

Transport minister Suvendu Adhikari is also in constant touch with the truck owners’ associations, the principal secretary said.

The truckers have resorted to an indefinite strike from Monday  demanding reduction in diesel prices or bringing petroleum products under GST, and protesting hike in third party insurance premium.

The Federation claimed that its 3.71 lakh members in the state have joined the agitation.