GUWAHATI, July 20 - Commercial motor transporters across Assam today joined the all-India indefinite strike called by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), demanding lower diesel prices and reduction of toll fees.
The strike evoked considerable response in the city as well, with most public transport remaining off the road as almost all the unions of commercial vehicles supported the strike. A few government-run city buses plied, but the overall presence of commercial vehicles was minimal. Long-distance bus services from the city were also affected by the strike. For a change, city roads did not witness traffic congestion.
The strike began at 6 am today. Vehicles carrying flood relief materials, water, milk as well as patients, and vehicles engaged in electricity duty have been exempted from the purview of the bandh in the State.
In Assam, the All Assam Motor Transport Association (AAMTA) extended its support to the cause.
�We are life members of the AIMTC and extend full support to the demands of the all-India transporters� body. These include controlling of rising petroleum prices and bringing it under the GST regime, withdrawal of toll gates and checking the rising rates of third party insurance,� AAMTA secretary general Pradip Das said in a statement.
Das said the State Government has been apathetic to the grievances of the motor transporters of Assam, as was evident from the authorities' lack of reaction to the 24-hour chakka bandh by the transporters against price rise on June 4 and 5.
The association also demanded that the State Government immediately re-fixes the rent for commercial vehicles and also reviews its policy on rent for requisition of commercial vehicles.
