Ruling out a rollback of Punjab Government’s decision to ban truck unions in the State, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday assured that the views of all stakeholders would be taken before
the final notification is issued.
Capt Amarinder told a delegation of the representatives of various truck unions that the interests of the truckers would be protected and the views of the unions would be taken before fixing freight and other rates.
Allaying their fears that big truck operators from other States would take over the business, Chief Minister said that all possible safeguards would be incorporated in the new industrial policy being drafted by the department.
The new policy, he said, would address the apprehensions of the truckers and other stakeholders.
The Government would ensure that no small truck owner is harmed or loses money as a result of the policy change, said the
Chief Minister, while categorically rejecting a demand for withdrawing the decision to ban truck unions in the state.
“Because of the unions, industries had been scared of coming to Punjab,” said the Chief Minister, adding that his Government was committed to promoting the State’s industrial development.
The Chief Minister said that all complaints of the truckers would be addressed by the SDMs but there could be no rollback on the decision to abolish the unions as it was in line with several judicial verdicts.
Earlier, talking to media persons after casting his votes for the presidential
elections, the Chief Minister said that the Government had taken the decision to ban the unions conscientiously in order to save the industry, transportation of food grains and, above all, to strengthen Punjab’s economy.
The Government did not take any arbitrary decision and there were three judgments of High Court asking the State Government to take tangible steps for breaking the truck unions’ monopoly in the larger good of the society, he added.