Truck operators call for 72-hour strike in West Bengal

Truck operators in Kolkata have gone on a 72-hour strike demanding implementation of the 'Revision of Safe Axle Weights of Goods Vehicles,' and action against police atrocities amongst other demands.
 

There is no doubt that the prices of goods will become excessively high during the three-day truck strike before Durga puja. The postal truck strike before puja will make a big impact on the COVID situation.
 

Sajal Ghosh, general secretary of the Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators Associations said, “The statewide 'chakka jam hartal' will start on October 12 and end on October 14.”
 

 There are 5.5 lakh trucks in Bengal. These trucks will not move across the state during the 72-hour strike.
 

 As a result of the strike, trucks from Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Bangalore will not be allowed to enter Bengal.
 

The truck operators demanded the removal of unnecessary no-entry points on highways, withdrawal of toll tax, waiving off-road tax for current fiscal, action against police harassment, and financial aid for truck operators in the wake of COVID- 19 pandemic and reducing diesel prices.

The Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators Associations had earlier written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to withdraw the collection of toll tax at toll plazas.
 

 However, the government failed to pay heed to the demands of the truck operators despite requests made through letters.