Truckers strike continues, States invoke ESMA

With the ongoing transporters’ strike in support of their demand for cheaper diesel, tyres, and exemption from service and toll taxes continued on Friday, six states have so far invoked Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities.

Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, AP and Maharashtra are the six states which have invoked ESMA so far and would shortly commence tough action against the truckers under provision of the Act.

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Haryana, which reported marginal impact on supply of essential commodities, has issued Prevention of Hoarding and Maintenance of Quality Order, 1977 to ensure smooth supply. Meanwhile, Centre has asked more states to follow suit and start proceeding against the defiant truckers and transporters. Under the provision of the Act, any person who begins a strike, which is illegal as per the Act, will be punished with imprisonment up to six months or fine up to Rs. 1,000 or both.

“Talks are being held with other states as well to invoke the law,” said a ministry of surface transport official.

The All India Motor Transporters Congress (AIMTC), which called for the strike, will hold an emergency meeting of its representatives on Friday. While on Thursday, transporters continued to surrender their truck permits. In Delhi alone around 700 permits were surrendered.

“We have not yet been contacted by the government for any further negotiation. We demanded a relief package from the government, but got ESMA in return,” said AIMTC president Charan Singh Lohara.

The government has not held any formal talk with the AIMTC but the informal channels are being maintained, said Brahm Dutt, secretary road transport and highways, on Thursday, adding that “there is nothing new we can offer them. Nothing is there for negotiations. Government is determined to deal with the strikers strongly.”

Brahm Dutt, however, said: “If the transporters call off their strike, we are prepared to discuss with the states issues like free movement of goods throughout the country and rationalisation of taxes.”

In relation to the Service Tax matter, which is a major issue for the strike, Dutt said the government has already issued a notification two days ago, exempting the ‘subcontractors’ from the purview of Service Tax. So there is no point in raising this demand and insisting on it by the transporters, he added.

About reducing the diesel price, Dutt said the government is continuously monitoring the international oil prices and would consider reducing the diesel prices at an appropriate time.

Truckers went on indefinite strike since Jan 05 in support of their demand for reduction in diesel prices by Rs 10 per litre, exemption in service and toll taxes and a single permit for nationwide transportation among others.