The first day of truck operators' country-wide strike was not successful by any reckoning, but, if their problems are not solved soon, then it would bring problems for common man. The effect of truck operators' demands to exempt toll tax, reduction in excise duty on diesel and to end service tax, seemed visible from Thursday. Though, Road Transport Minister, TR Balu formally talked with truck operators in a meeting and appealed them to end their strike in nation's interest. On the other hand, the Finance Ministry has given assurance to increase abatement rate on service tax. Over 50 lakh commercial vehicles are involved in the nation-wide truckers' strike. The sooner a solution reached by taking with the striking transporters, the better it would be for the common men as it would lead to non-availability of commodities, whose prices have already become beyond the reach of common men in the regime of increasing inflation.
Illegal recovery from trucks at the barriers would have to be stopped. Though union Transport Minister has given assurance to the transporters that disparity of toll tax in the same district at various barriers would be solved and illegal toll tax collection would also be stopped. Such recovery is made at the barriers openly, so necessity of taking it seriously could not be denied. In this connection, it is also necessary to take concrete steps, proper solution to transporters' demand should be sought. Rates of essential commodities would increase due to truck operators' strike and finally the public would have to face shortage of commodities in a large scale. Government should take the strike seriously and find out solution as soon as possible, so that the country may not face any crisis.
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