Bengal truckers withdraw strike after 3 days

Kolkata, Aug 21 (IANS) West Bengal's truck owners and operators withdrew their strike after three days on Wednesday after the state government sought time till September 8 to address the issues.The truckers went on strike demanding a 25 per cent increase in the maximum safe axle weight for goods vehicles and opposing police excesses, hike in third party insurance premium, delay in getting fitness certificates and implementation of GST on petrol and diesel."We have decided to put the strike on hold after a meeting with officials of the public vehicles department. After listening to our demands, they sought time till September 8," said Subhash Chandra Bose, General Secretary of the Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators' Association.The strike involved around 800,000 trucks and nearly 9 million people, including driver, helper, labourers and cleaners. On the first day, around 600,000 trucks didn't leave the garage and many more joined the next day, he said.According to him, nearly 40,000-45,000 vehicles enter Bengal daily. Due to the strike, 1,400-1,500 vehicles carrying goods like eggs, onion and fish were hstuck at the Sonakania border.."We have conveyed the message and the truck movement will start after 12 a.m. and will be normal," he said.
--IANS bnd/ssp/pcj