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“State representatives of the AIMTC and state transport ministers have been called to participate in a meeting with Union Transport Minister T R Baalu, but we will not attend it until our leaders are freed. Until then, the strike will continue,” said Raja Roy, member of the managing committee of AIMTC.
The imposition of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) will not solve the problems of strikers, Roy added.
The nationwide truckers’ strike, meanwhile, entered its seventh day on Sunday, causing acute shortage of essential commodities in several states.
Even as the prices of essential commodities are going up with every passing day in other states, the regional unit of the AIMTC is allowing trucks to enter Bengal.
“The transport minister thanked me for this gesture of the AIMTC,” said Roy, adding that regional units in other states are not allowing the trucks to enter their states.
Bengal is badly hit by the unprecedented price hike due to the strike, as farmers have suffered heavy losses on perishable commodities.
“As of now, consumers are paying at least 10-15 per cent more on essential products. If the strike goes on for more than three days, prices will rise at least 40-50 per cent. Moreover, the panic triggered by the strike, is leading people to stock essential commodities, which is only making the situation worse,” said Mahesh Singhania, chairman, Federation of West Bengal Trade Association.
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