As a part of the nationwide strike called by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), truckers in the State continued their strike for second consecutive day on Friday demanding annulment of toll system in the country.
Due to the strike, different types of goods could not be supplied to various parts of the State. While supply of essential commodities like milk, vegetables and medicines has been kept out of the purview of the strike, its impact was seen in various parts of the State.
Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangha general secretary Sudhakar Panda said the strike would cause increase of prices of vegetables and other food items. “If the truckers continue their agitation like this, we will run out of stock of vegetables and food items from the market very soon,” he added.
Odisha Truck Owners Association general secretary Rabi Satpathy said, “Our strike will be continued till the Government comes out with some practical solution to our problems.” Around two lakh trucks from the State remained off the road due to the indefinite nationwide strike. Notably, the truckers’ bodies have been demanding scrapping of toll system and one-time payment of taxes, State Government’s proposed green tax and simplification of TDS.