NEW DELHI: Amid signs that the seven-day-old truckers' strike was breaking up in some parts of the country, the Centre has given indications that it would take a tough line to force the agitators to end the stir, like it did with officers of oil PSUs. Sources said more arrests of leaders spearheading the strike were likely on Monday.
In a letter to states, Cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar has cited the strategy adopted to deal with the oil strike while seeking "effective intervention" to ensure free movement of essential commodities and prevent hoarding of goods.
Meanwhile, road transport secretary Brahm Dutt claimed that trucks had started moving in Pune and Mumbai in Maharashtra, Krishna and Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh, Hassan in Karnataka, Jaipur in Rajasthan and in Gurgaon. There were also reports of one truckers' association in Maharashtra calling off the strike.
The government said at least seven states had chalked out emergency plans and kept hundreds of drivers ready to transport essential commodities.
However, the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), the body heading the nationwide strike, on Sunday issued a veiled warning of the stir turning violent. "The chakka jam is peaceful, but the aggressive attitude of the government could worsen the situation," it said in a statement.
Though the Centre so far maintained that the strike has had an insignificant impact, the transport secretary on Sunday admitted that the stir had hit "inter-state goods movement, transportation for export and industrial purpose". He also said though the prices of vegetables and other essential items have remained stable in the past week, "merchants have pushed up the prices".
He also claimed arrangements have been made by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state governments to ensure adequate quantities of wheat and rice are available in fair price shops. "Delhi transport commissioner has informed us that they have got 100 drivers in place to deal with movement of essential commodities in case of an emergency. Rajasthan has also communicated to us its detailed strategy," the secretary added.
Sources in the ministry said Rajasthan had prepared a list of 700 drivers who could be asked to drive impounded trucks to ferry goods. The ministry will hold holding a meeting of all state transport ministers on Monday to chalk out plans to deal with the situation.
"State governments have greater role to play in this case. Issues like one national permit for all states can only be addressed by the state governments. They issue permits and charge taxes. We want to play the role of facilitator. Protesters can make out how serious the government is about their concerns," Brahm Dutt said.
Responding to whether arrested leaders would be freed, he said: "Law of the land would prevail. We will not allow one section to take the entire country to ransom."
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Time_to_get_tough_on_truckers_Govt/articleshow/3965402.cms
In a letter to states, Cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar has cited the strategy adopted to deal with the oil strike while seeking "effective intervention" to ensure free movement of essential commodities and prevent hoarding of goods.
Meanwhile, road transport secretary Brahm Dutt claimed that trucks had started moving in Pune and Mumbai in Maharashtra, Krishna and Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh, Hassan in Karnataka, Jaipur in Rajasthan and in Gurgaon. There were also reports of one truckers' association in Maharashtra calling off the strike.
The government said at least seven states had chalked out emergency plans and kept hundreds of drivers ready to transport essential commodities.
However, the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), the body heading the nationwide strike, on Sunday issued a veiled warning of the stir turning violent. "The chakka jam is peaceful, but the aggressive attitude of the government could worsen the situation," it said in a statement.
Though the Centre so far maintained that the strike has had an insignificant impact, the transport secretary on Sunday admitted that the stir had hit "inter-state goods movement, transportation for export and industrial purpose". He also said though the prices of vegetables and other essential items have remained stable in the past week, "merchants have pushed up the prices".
He also claimed arrangements have been made by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state governments to ensure adequate quantities of wheat and rice are available in fair price shops. "Delhi transport commissioner has informed us that they have got 100 drivers in place to deal with movement of essential commodities in case of an emergency. Rajasthan has also communicated to us its detailed strategy," the secretary added.
Sources in the ministry said Rajasthan had prepared a list of 700 drivers who could be asked to drive impounded trucks to ferry goods. The ministry will hold holding a meeting of all state transport ministers on Monday to chalk out plans to deal with the situation.
"State governments have greater role to play in this case. Issues like one national permit for all states can only be addressed by the state governments. They issue permits and charge taxes. We want to play the role of facilitator. Protesters can make out how serious the government is about their concerns," Brahm Dutt said.
Responding to whether arrested leaders would be freed, he said: "Law of the land would prevail. We will not allow one section to take the entire country to ransom."
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Time_to_get_tough_on_truckers_Govt/articleshow/3965402.cms
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