New Delhi: Truckers proceeded on a nationwide indefinite strike this morning on the call of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) to protest against the present toll system. Transporters went on indefinite strike after talks between the government and AIMTC delegation failed as the truckers' body said the offer of electronic-toll system by December was not practical. However, essential commodities like milk, vegetables and medicine have been kept off the purview of the strike. Another truckers body AITWA has said that it is not joining the strike.
AIMTC is demanding scrapping of toll system terming it a tool of harassment and one-time payment of taxes besides simplification of TDS. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari yesterday offered electronic-toll system pan-India by December to address their concerns but made it clear that scrapping of toll system is not possible. However, AIMTC President Bhim Wadhwa said electronic toll system offered by the Highways Minister is no solution as "E-tolling project of the government is a failed concept... even their pilot project has failed. The partnering banks viz. ICICI and Axis Bank too has distanced itself from the project." Wadhwa said one of their demands is TDS provisions on transport trade to Pre-Finance Act 2015 and the Finance Arun Jaitley has assured them to call a meeting with Chairman, CBDT.
"The strike is likely to cause Rs 1,500 crore losses to truckers and over Rs 10,000 crore loss to government on a daily basis," Wadhwa said. Asked that another body All India Transport Welfare Association (AITWA) has not joined the strike, Wadhwa said AIMTC was the apex body and represented about 87 lakh trucks and 20 lakh buses and tempos. Gadkari yesterday held a detailed meeting with AIMTC delegation and appealed them to call off the strike assuring an electronic toll collection system by December at all 325 toll plazas. The government has made it clear that it was not possible to scrap toll system as per the demand of the AIMTC.
Gadkari assured truckers that the government would provide a wide network of good roads with no delays after the electronic toll system in which toll will be collected electronically through chips fitted in the vehicles at toll plazas. AITWA President Pradeep Singhal said they will refrain from any strike. AIMTC said that it is not against toll, but the toll collection system, and has demanded barrier-free movement of vehicles as well as one-time collection of taxes.
On the other hand, Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT) said AIMTC's suggestion to have fixed annual toll was not rational. "AIMTC suggestion to have fixed annual toll fee of Rs 30,000 for a truck on national permit and Rs 10,000 for intrastate permit vehicle needs examination as proposal is highly flawed and irrational," Coordinator IFTRT SP Singh said.
