Transporters threaten indefinite strike from tomorrow

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JUNE 29. The Twin Cities Transporters' Joint Action Committee has threatened to go on an indefinite strike from midnight of July 1, if the abnormal hike in RTA transaction fee and road tax is not withdrawn forthwith.

Different modes of transport like local lorries, goods vehicles, autorickshaws and mini autos would have no alternative but to stay off the road, Mr. Nitin Kumar Shah, chairman, and Mr. Amanullah Khan, chief convener, said at a press meet here on Friday.

The leaders alleged that they were not only facing `untold harassment' following the increase in the compounding fee but also from RTA officials and the police. The transaction fee ought to be nominal but the Government was treating it as a source of revenue. Similarly, the quarterly road tax was increased from Rs. 1,800 to Rs. 2,429, mainly to compensate the loss of revenue on account of prohibition. Since prohibition was withdrawn it was only fair that the tax should also be reverted to its earlier position, Mr. Shah said.

He further wanted the entry timings for trucks in the city be extended from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. as most of the godowns were located within the city limits. Time restrictions placed on local lorries should also go and they should be allowed to operate round-the-clock.

CPI(M) backs stir

Our Special Correspondent writes: Meanwhile, the CPI(M) city committee has announced support to the transporters' stir threat. It adopted a resolution urging the Government to withdraw G.O. No. 69 of May 16, saying it was unfair to impose hefty penalties on transport operators in the name of enforcing traffic regulations.

Mr. P.S.N. Murthy, State secretary, said in a press release that the fine for entry of non-local lorries into the city was hiked from Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,600 and for local lorries from Rs. 150 to Rs. 1,100.

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Section  : Southern States
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