Goods likely to become pricey as truckers go on indefinite strike

Kolkata: With trucks going off the road due to the all-India strike protesting against the steep hike in diesel price, there are apprehensions of essential goods becoming expensive. But according to the experts, its effect can only be realised if the strike continues for more than 48 hours.

Truck owners have gone for the strike, protesting against the Centre's indifference towards bringing down the price of diesel. There are around 45 lakh trucks in the state.

With trucks going off the road, both export and import of goods have come to a stop. There are several goods including fish and onion which need to be imported from other states. There will not be much effect if the truck strike is withdrawn within the next 48 hours. But the prices of essential commodities, mainly of the ones which need to be exported from outside, would go up if it continues even after 48 hours. Most importantly, the stock of the commodities that need to be imported would run out if the strike continues.

Since there should not be any effect on the prices of essential goods in the next 48 hours, there will be strict vigilance at all the markets in the city to ensure that prices of commodities do not go up unnecessarily and lead to inconvenience of common people. There are some occasions in the state as well, on Tuesday. So, the steps have been taken to ensure that prices of goods do not go up.

The state government has also taken necessary steps to ensure that middlemen do not get the opportunity to increase the prices of essential goods in this span of time.

It may be mentioned that the last meeting of the task force took place on June 6 and the concerned officials were directed to take necessary steps so that prices of essential goods do not go up without any valid reason.

In the same meeting, directions were given to ensure that the prices of potato and onions, a large quantity of which have to be imported from Nasik, do not go up.

Stress was also given to increase the state's production of the commodities that have to be imported from other states.

Representatives of the truck owners have, however, claimed that they would continue with their strike if the demands are not met.