Indian truckers end strike, govt to form panel on demands

New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Indian truckers called off their
eight-day-old strike Monday unconditionally after the
government assured forming a committee to look into their
demands, besides releasing arrested leaders of the All India
Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).

"The strike has been called off. The demands of AIMTC
will be looked into by a committee to be chaired by Transport
Secretary Brahm Dutt," Transport Minister T R Baalu told
reporters here after a second round of talks with the
truckers.

He said the committee will submit a report within eight
weeks on the demands raised by the AIMTC and other
transporters.

"The Government has agreed to consider our demands within
eight weeks and also assured us release of our arrested
leaders within a day or two after taking legal advice," AIMTC
ex-President Gurinder Pal Singh said.

According to the agreement reached, the AIMTC will make a
detailed representation on service tax notices, non-deduction
of TDS from truck freight payments and cut in tyre prices by
way removing import restrictions, reduction in duties and
a single national permit.

The issues will be taken up by the Department of Road
Transport and Highways (DoRTH) with other ministries and
departments concerned.

Joint Secretary Transport SK Dash will be the convener of
the committee, which will have three finance secretaries and
four transport commissioners of states, along with four
members from the AIMTC and one from the All India
Confederation of Goods Vehicles Owners' Associations (ACOGOA).

"The committee will oversee and advise the government on
on the all-India permit and other issues," Baalu said. PTI