Demanding a reduction of diesel prices by Rs10 per litre and exemption from service tax, the transporters have been agitating since July last year.

The transporters went on strike from midnight, January 4, and despite apprehensions of price rise of essential commodities, including vegetables, the Azadpur Mandi has not recorded any changes in prices yet.

The government has so far threatened the AIMTC with dire consequences, either through the cancellation of permits or through the invocation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). “We will make sure that prices of essential commodities are not affected. We are negotiating with the unions and are trying to reach a decision,” Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.

The AIMTC, however, has stated that authorities have made no attempt to negotiate. “The government had agreed that diesel prices needed to be slashed but has done nothing in this regard. It affects the masses in terms of prices of commodities and also the agricultural and industrial sectors,” Charan Singh Lohara, president of AIMTC, said.

“As of now we have just taken trucks off the roads but if the stalemate continues or the government curbs our right to protest, we will increase the agitation and organise road blocks. We had given the government two months’ time but even that was a ‘short span’ for them,” Singh said. “Today, we also met members of other transport unions and they have offered to support our cause,” he said.

The Bharatiya Private Transport Mazdoor Mahasangh, the Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) Transport Union, the Azadpur Mandi Transport Union, the Kisan Union and some traders’ associations have extended support for the strike.