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"There is a shortage of a few vegetables, if the strike continues. We will face more problems," claimed Rajinder Kumar, a wholesale vegetable seller.
Regular customers said prices have doubled. "We come here daily to buy vegetables. The rates have doubled because of the strike," said Akhilesh Kewat, a customer.
Most vegetable supplies enter the capital from neighbouring states through trucks.
The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), which represents around six million truckers' across the country, called for an indefinite strike on Monday, demanding reduction of diesel prices and certain tax concessions.
Tens of thousands of truckers have been off the roads after talks between the AIMTC and the Central Government broke down last weekend. The truckers have vowed to stay off the roads until their demands are met.
Strike enters 4th day
The nation-wide transporters strike entered the fourth day on Thursday with both truckers and government refusing to stand down from their stated positions.
"It is unfortunate that so far there is no response from the government. We simply cannot run our business in losses, so we are continuing the strike and we will continue till our demands are met," All India Motor Transport Congress President Charan Singh Lohara said.
The strike by transporters had acquired political colour with the CPI (M) asking the Centre on Wednesday to meet the truckers' demands, even as senior government officials said Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh could soon announce the stir illegal.
Failing to break ground with the government, the agitating truckers turned to political parties for support, beginning with a meeting with CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat and sending letter to Leader of Opposition L K Advani, besides UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Prices of food items, including coarse cereals, vegetables and fruits, are reported to have remained steady in the wholesale market across the country. However, key spot markets for commodities like sugar, potato and maize remained closed as the strike crippled supplies of these goods leading to a rise in prices.
The Centre has advised states to act on the 18-point action plan that it had issued two days back to deal with the situation. It included implementing provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, Essential Services Maintenance Act and National Security Act and impound trucks, if needed, against the striking transporters.
Truckers went on an indefinite strike since Sunday midnight to press for reduction in diesel prices, exemption in service and toll taxes and a single permit for nation-wide transportation among others, affecting transportation in various parts of the country.
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A big private oil comapny pays hefty bribes to politicians across party lines to keep the prices of petroleum products high in the country. Further oil companies today are making rs. 16 per litre on petrol, diesel and other hefty profits on other petroleum products. Price of plastic is 50 percent more than what it should be. Also most toll nakas are owned by people who are close to the corrupt ministers. A large share of this loot goes to politicans and media bigwigs. So if the politicians act in public interest and give in to the justifiable demands of the truck owners their flow of corrupt money will stop. This is the whole drama everywhere be it congress in rajasthan, bjp in gujarat or mayawati in UP.
After puting the common people into hardship, the Govt will take initiation to settle the strike. This is what we had seen in the past. If Govt could take timely action, this type of situation could be avoided.. If the strike contineous, the prices of essential commodities will shoot sky high. All concerned are requested to take immediate action.
I would say there should be strike atleast once in a month for minimum one day, always. This will help save money in importing fuel, less pollution, safe roads to some extent, holiday to drivers/cleaners and other benefits.
As usual its the common people like us who is going to suffer for hike in price of all commodities .A Law should be brought so that no civil supply organization can go on strike more than one day at a time.
As the trucks stay off the streets, the smog is clearing and the blue skies are showing through! Today's a nice sunny day in Delhi. Can we find a permanent solution to the tons of poison these decrepit trucks push into the air each day?
The Govt. cannot be so insensitive to the truckers' plight. The concerned ministry should study the working and problems being faced by truck operators. Unless the truckers earn decent profit, they cannot survive. There is urgent need to settle this issue. Govt. cannot behave like a dictator. Govt. should take initiative and settle the issue. A mechanism should also be put in place incorporating the cost structure and revision of transportation charges. See the railway, being a govt. unit, they can revise the tariff and rate at will and nobody question them !!
Several of the elected members in the Government have criminal backgrounds, hence acting with reason and responsibility is not expected. We are certain to see more such unreasonable behavior in furure.
Several ministers across party lines get hefty bribes from big oil companies. These oil companies are making more than 16 rs per litre and pass on a share of this loot to the ruling and opposition parties and the big shots in media. Also most of the toll nakas in the country are run by relatives or the people close to the ministers. Truck drivers or common man is not as powerful as these companies and ministers are. Hence we still pay rs.50 a litre for petrol. I hope the strike continues till these corrupt politicians are forced to reduce the prices. I am ever ready to hungry for a few days if we can teach a lesson to these big companies and corrupt politicians.