The one day chakka-jam scheduled on Thursday called by State’s transporters and businessmen has been called off. The strike was called by the transporters and businessman against the “inordinate” hikes in the transport taxes.
Jharkhand Truck Owners' Association president Uday Shankar Ojha confirmed calling off the strike. “The strike scheduled on Thursday has been called off. The strike is being called off after the assurances of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the two Cabinet ministers Annapurna Devi and Rajendra Prasad Singh.” Issuing a letter to the effect Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) made clear that the leaders had agreed to allow collection of taxes according to the older rates till August 30. Any final decision would be taken after that date.
Earlier the transporters and businessman had decided bring the city on standstill by calling a chakka-jam on Thursday. The decision was taken after the State government had announced to hike the transport taxes upto an “inordinate” 1,000 per cent. The transport department on July 13, 2013 had announced hike in the transport tax rates up to 1000 per cent. State transporters and businessmen had opposed the hike. FJCCI claimed that the strike had the support of around 14 business and transport bodies.
Apprehending the problem in ferrying students owing to the strike major schools had announced closer on Thursday. The notices were issued to the parents and teachers. However when the strike was called off on Wednesday evening some of the schools cancelled the closer and decided to run the school like any other day. Some schools however decided to remain closed. DPS Ranchi, Sarla-Birla Public School, JVM Shyamali would remain open on Thursday. DPS Ranchi principal said that the schools would run normally on Thursday and the closer notice stood annulled after the strike was called off. He said the school authority was sending message to “individuals concerned”. However, loyola Schools, Kairali Public School and Jawahar Vidya Mandir would remain closed on Thursday. Kairali public school principal said that the school would remain open on the coming Saturday to compensate for this unplanned off.