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Transport strike in Maharashtra

Goods vehicles, trucks, tempos, tankers, trailers and private buses all over Maharashtra will observe a token one-day strike on Tuesday in support of the bandh call given by the Maharashtra Rajya Truck, Tempo, Tankers, Bus Vahatuk Mahasangh.

They are protesting against the alleged harassment and extortion by officials of the motor vehicle and traffic department under the cover of implementing a high court order on checking pollution control certificates of vehicles.

Mahasangh president Mohinder Singh Ghura had said in a statement on Monday that the state government has so far not helped goods and passenger vehicle owners by approaching the high court to withdraw its order regarding polluting vehicles. The court imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 or suspension of vehicle for fifteen days, cancellation of registration and suspension of driving licence in its order of December 15, 1999, which is against the provision of Motor Vehicle Act governing all vehicles.

He further pointed out that no action has been taken to withdraw the toll tax at the nakas (check posts) and the policy and functioning of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. As of today, vehicle owners have to pay motor vehicle tax of Maharashtra, a cess on petrol, diesel and toll tax for using the road fly-overs and bridges. This means taxation by three different authorities for using the same road.

Ghura said that in view of the ensuing Ganpati (Ganesh) festival, the transporters have decided to observe only a token strike. He warned that if the government failed to take any action in this regard, they would be compelled to resort to an indefinite strike.

UNI

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