By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAR 30, 2013: THE All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has called off the proposed strike after its representatives met the Secretary, Road Transport and Highways (RTH) here yesterday. All India Motor Transport Congress has given call to suspend operations of goods transport and transportation services with effect from the midnight of April,1,2013 demanding that various issues affecting transport community are resolved by 30th March, 2013. During the Meeting, the Secretary Road Transport and Highways, Mr Vijay Chhibber assured that Ministry appreciates the requests of AIMTC and will take steps to facilitate resolution of issues.

All India Motor Transport Congress(AIMTC), an apex body of transporters (both cargo and passenger) represent approximately 75 lakh truckers and transporters and about 40 lakh buses and tour operators. AIMTC claims that whole transport industry is hit by high input costs and deep recession resulting in huge economic viability gap. AIMTC has forwarded list of demands to the RTH Ministry for immediate redressal.

The demands of AIMTC include – Immediate withdrawal of unilateral hike of Third Party Insurance Premium(TPP) for Goods Vehicles w.e.f April,1,2013; Reconstitution of Committee for any TPP tariff revision, with AIMTC as its member; Immediate implementation of Toll Permit in line with the National Permit; Replacement of the monthly increase of Diesel prices with half yearly increase; ,demand for uniformity of diesel prices across the country; Fixation of minimum freight rates for Road Transport Sector; National Permit for buses on lines of Goods Vehicles; Action against States indulging in illegal Entry Tax/Mechanical Tax; Sales Tax/Commercial Tax issues, onus of any Sales Tax issues to be on consignor /trader, trucks not to be detained anywhere in the country; Centralisation of RC books; Standardisation of documents to be done across country; Removal of Anti-Dumping Duty on import of tyres; The reservation of the Road Transport Sector on Carriage by Road Act/Rules to be addressed immediately and Industry status for Road Transport Sector.