After truckers, miffed chemists may go on strike

The movement of goods across states was disrupted as the country’s biggest transporters’ body AIMTC on Thursday went on an indefinite strike as the government refused to scrap the existing toll system. While the supply of essential commodities like milk, vegetables, and medicines have been kept out of the purview of the strike, its impact was seen in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh among other places.

While appealing to the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) to call off the strike, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the toll system can’t be scrapped.

“It is up to them to continue their strike. The government cannot scrap toll. We have already assured to implement electronic tolling system pan-India by December. I appeal them to call off the strike,” Gadkari was quoted by agencies. AIMTC claims to have 87 lakh trucks and 20 lakh buses and tempos across the country under its fold. Another truckers body, All India Transport Welfare Association (<g data-gr-id="34">AITWA</g>) has decided to keep away from the strike.

AIMTC is demanding scrapping of the existing toll system, saying it is a tool of harassment, while it is seeking a one-time payment of taxes and simplification of TDS procedure. Gadkari said the government is committed to <g data-gr-id="38">providing</g> good highways to transporters and is serious that they do not have to wait at toll plazas.

AIMTC President Bhim Wadhwa said electronic toll system suggested by the Minister is no solution as “e-tolling project of the government is a failed concept... Even their pilot project has failed. The partnering banks like ICICI and Axis Bank <g data-gr-id="40">too</g> have distanced themselves from the project.”

“Our indefinite strike is successful as per reports coming from all parts of the country,” he said.

Wadhwa said one of their demands is to bring TDS provisions on transport trade in Pre-Finance Act 2015, and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has assured them to call a meeting with Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on this. “The strike has caused about Rs 1,500 crore loss to truckers and over Rs 10,000 crore loss to <g data-gr-id="43">government</g> on the first day,” Wadhwa said. AIMTC leader Charan Singh Lohara said: “We have stopped new bookings and delivery of goods as the truckers numbering around two lakh in the region comprising Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh have joined the strike today.”

Meanwhile, the Apex body of chemists and druggists, AIOCD, which has more than 7 lakh members in the country, on Thursday called for a nationwide strike on October 14 to protest against <g data-gr-id="41">online</g> pharmacy.

“We have decided to go for nationwide chemists’ strike on October 14 to protect the  health of general public as well as interest of our members,” All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) President J S Shinde said in a statement here.

Online pharmacies in India have significantly increased due to growing e-commerce in the country.