Shillong, Nov 10: Caught up in the ongoing agitation against cement companies by the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Drivers Association (MCTODA), trucker groups that are not involved in the strike have requested the state government to try and broker a solution.
The agitation began on October 27 over a dispute over transportation rates. While cement companies have to follow state-approved rates for transport within Meghalaya there is no rule that applies to inter-state transport, the rate of which is worked out between the truckers and the cement companies. MCTODA, however, wants a standardised rate for inter-state transport, which the government says is beyond its remit. Cement companies are pushing back by claiming that the rates demanded would put them out of business.
While MCTODA has led the strike, other associations, like the East Jaintia Hills Truck Owners and Transporters Association (EJHTOTA) and the Jaintia Hills Truck Owners Association (JHTOA) have not joined in. However, they have been caught up in the agitation as MCTODA has tried to enforce a blanket ban on transport of cement and other materials.
A joint action committee (JAC) formed between EJHTOTA and JHTOA today met Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who is in charge of the Transport Department, to discuss the difficulties arising out of the indefinite strike.
The JAC petitioned Dhar to demand that a meeting of all concerned stakeholders be convened to discuss, resolve and end the ban of trucks carrying cement and clinker from the cement factories in East Jaintia Hills by MCTODA. A fortnight of disruption has hit truckers hard financially – both drivers and truck owners.
The JAC said that the meeting with Dhar, was fruitful, in which he, listened carefully to all their concerns as stakeholders, adding that within the next few days, he will soon discuss their problem with the government so that trucks carrying cement and clinker can as usual go about their business without any problems.
