Truckers resume work in many parts of the country: Govt

New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI) The Indian government Sunday said
local supplies have improved with truckers resuming services
in many areas, while reiterating its threat that more states
would invoke ESMA to smoothen the supply of goods if the
hauliers do not return to work in the remaining parts of the
country.

However, agitating truckers are still holding out on
their demands, while stressing "the strike is nationwide and
complete", claimed All India Transporters Welfare Association
President Ramesh Agarwal.

"The truckers in many parts of the country have started
working... I am sure more and more transporters would return
to work," Transport Secretary Brahm Dutt told reporters here.

However, he accepted that inter-state movement of goods
as well as transportation of industrial products were affected
due to the ongoing strike which has entered the seventh day
Sunday.

"Locally, the goods are being carried. The only thing
that is affected is inter-state movement of goods and
industrial and export products," Dutt said.

Meanwhile, Haryana invoked Essential Service Maintenance
Act (ESMA), becoming the eighth state so far to implement the
step to deal with the strike.

"Haryana has also invoked ESMA and is firmly dealing
(with striking transporters)," Dutt said.

Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan,
Goa and Madhya Pradesh had invoked the law earlier in the
week.

"Trucks have started plying in Mumbai, Pune, Vijaywada,
Hasan and Jaipur...situation is improving in other parts,"
Dutt said.

The Centre has called a meeting of all state transport
ministers tomorrow to discuss the demands of agitating
truckers.

However, the final solution to the problems of the
transporters lies in enhancing industrial activity, Dutt said.
"There has been some impact on truckers because of the
economic slowdown. The ultimate solution to their problems
lies in stepping up trade, industrial activity for which the
government has announced two stimulus packages," he said.

At the same time, All India Confederation of Goods
Vehicle Owners' Association, rival body of AIMTC which has
called the strike, has given assurance for extending complete
support for supply of goods, Dutt added.

Other smaller truckers' bodies have also assured state
governments that they will not participate in the strike and
would continue working, he said.

The Centre has also advised states to "identify" 15-20
lakh vehicles which can be impounded and plied by employing
retired drivers in public sector undertakings and other
government offices, Dutt added.

He also appealed to striking transporters to settle the
issue through dialogue and invited them for talks. PTI