Truckers-govt talks show progress

The truckers’ federation and State Government reached an agreement over a couple of demands. “The finance hypothecation fee was reduced from Rs 3,000 to Rs 800 and the daily penalty for delay in getting Fitness Certificate was reduced from Rs 50 to Rs 20. They are among other considerable reductions in fees and penalties at the Regional Transport Offices,” Kumarasamy told DtNext . 

He added that the Minister agreed to exempting vehicles plying at a speed below 80 km an hour, as stated by the Government at the Centre.  “The transport department would collect the list of vehicles and their speed limits from the manufacturers to take a call on it. It would be completed in three months. 

Till then, truckers would not be penalised by transport department officials,” he added. Kumarasamy said that on revoking VAT for diesel-  the other demand placed before the State Government-the Transport Minister had stated that it was a policy decision of the Government. 

“The Minister said that he will discuss it with the Chief Minister and Finance Minister,” he said.  However, since SIMTA gave the strike call, the strike would continue. Tamil Nadu Lorry Booking Agents Federation president V Rajavadivel said that they have not resumed booking and that truckers’ bodies have convened a meeting in Salem on Tuesday to announce that the strike would continue. 

The Southern Region Bulk LPG Transport Operators Association (SRBLPGTOA) that they had extended support for the strike for a day on Monday and would take a decision on extending support to the indefinite strike after discussion with their office-bearers in Namakkal on Tuesday, its president M. Ponnambalam said.