New Delhi, jan 10 The Cabinet Secretary Mr. K.M. Chandrasekhar today met senior officials to review the situation emanating from the nationwide truckers strike that entered the sixth day. The meeting which was attended by Secretaries of Ministry of Road and Surface Transport, Defence, Railways, I&B and Petroleum, discussed various options to deal with the situation. The review meeting comes in the wake of continued stand-off between transporters and the government even as one more state Madhya Pradesh invoked Essential Services Maintenance Act, ESMA against the strikers.
Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Goa invoked ESMA earlier this week. The All India Motor Transport Congress, AIMTC President Charan Singh Lohara and Secretary S Venugopal were arrested by Delhi Police yesterday. The two were arrested under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). About 30-35 members of AIMTC, were also taken in custody by the police.
The Union Minister for Surface Transport Mr.T.R. Baalu has said that the government is committed to take all necessary steps to ensure smooth supplies and have advised states to transport essential commodities so that the common man does not suffer. The Minister said, the government has already met almost all the demands of the truckers in July 2008.
The government has also announced its plans to press 15-20 lakh vehicles and impounding of trucks to ensure supply of essential commodities, especially food stock.
Home Minister P Chidambaram, who described the strike as "against the interest of people", said the Centre is in touch with the states to evolve a solution as many of the demands of the truckers pertained to the states only. The Transport Secretary Mr. Brahm Dutt told reporters in New Delhi that the strike is illegal and unjustified. Our correspondent in Jallundhar has filed this report.
The truckers however remain adamant. AIMTC says, there shall be no talks until the arrested leaders are released unconditionally without any cases against them. Our Mumbai correspondent has filed this report.
Tamil nadu government has advised the district collectors and Chennai city police commissioner to invoke the motor vehicles compulsory impounding act to ensure transportation of essential commodities. Our correspondent reports that the government has warned truckers that they will face the risk of their permits being cancelled.