July 03, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 28, 1429

NEW DELHI: Millions of truck drivers went on strike across India on Wednesday to protest rising fuel prices and road tolls, union leaders said, in a move that could paralyse much of the Indian economy.

Talks between the main truckers’ union and the government broke down on Wednesday and the “strike is on until there is a solution from (the government’s) side,” union leader Gurinder Pal Singh said.

The All India Motor Transport Congress, which represents 4.8 million truckers, is demanding lower taxes on diesel and the repeal of a recent hike in toll road fees, which they say eliminate profits. The government appealed to the truckers to end the strike, but said it would be unable to accommodate most of their demands.

With 70 per cent of goods transported by truck, a prolonged strike could have serious implications for the booming Indian economy.

Television footage showed goods beginning to pile up at farmers markets, docks and warehouses.

“As of now, no orders are being booked, no loading or delivery is in progress,” Mukesh Dave, the head of the local truckers association in the western state of Gujarat, told the Press Trust of India.

Meanwhile, truck depots across most of the country overflowed on Wednesday, with hundreds of the often brightly painted vehicles parked in long lines, their drivers talking among themselves or sleeping in the cabins.

“Because of the increase in the diesel prices our cost of operation has gone up, but the traders who send their stuff through us are not ready to pay more,” said truck owner Sachin Sehgal.

The strike was affecting nearly every state, except for West Bengal state, which has already exempted truckers from some of the taxes.

Government-regulated fuel prices have been raised twice this year — by a total of 17 per cent — in the wake of soaring global fuel prices. Truckers say they are paying for the increase at both the pumps and through a new road tax.

“They raised the prices of tolls in February 2008, without providing better amenities that the truckers need,” said Singh, the union leader.

Transportation Minister Thalikottai Rajuthevar Baalu appealed to the truckers to call off their strike but offered them little incentive, saying the increase in tolls and the taxes on diesel were needed to fund road construction and maintenance.

“Hence, not much leeway is available with this ministry,” a ministry statement quoted Baalu as saying. However, the minister promised to look into demands for better roadside facilities for the truckers.

But the truckers say they can’t make a profit with so many taxes and tolls.

“We are running on losses,” Charan Singh Lohara, another union leader told reporters after the unsuccessful talks. “The minister is saying that if you are going on losses, then stop your business. So, we are stopping our business and continuing with the strike.”—AP