Trucks Strike Gets Congress Backing

Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that his party extended complete support to the ongoing nationwide truckers strike.

The Congress top leader in an announcement on Thursday urged the Centre and State governments to take immediate steps to end the strike. "The Centre and State should immediately hold discussions and come to terms with the demands of the truckers," his announcement read.

On June 20, the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) went on an indefinite nationwide strike to protest against the government on various issues, including a demand to reduce prices of petrol and diesel by rationalising taxes in accordance with the international market. Nearly 93 lakh trucks and other goods vehicles are participating in the strike, causing a major disruption in the movement of goods across the country.

"During the UPA government, the third party insurance was Rs 18,000, while the present government is charging Rs 47,000 per vehicle," Uttam observed. The Telangana Congress Chief urged the government to consider the truckers association's demand to allow toll-free transport on National Highways.

The Centre should ensure that road tax paid in Telangana or Andhra Pradesh is made applicable in both the states, he said.

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