Two truck associations in the Jaintia region have chosen not to be part of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in its demand to hike transportation charges from cement companies.
The Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owner & Drivers Association (MCTODA) and the All Jaiñtia Cement & Clinker Transports Association (AJCCTA) announced that the Jaiñtia Hills Truck Owner Association (JHTOA) and the East Jaiñtia Hills Truck Owner Association (EJHTOA) have withdrawn their association with the JAC
AJCCTA president Balen Thubru said despite their withdrawal, the JAC, which consisted of four truck associations, will continue to push through with their demand.
He said that the chairman of the JAC, who was the president of JHTOA, has also decided to resign.
Thubru accused the two associations of having a hidden agenda.
According to Thubru, they had demanded that the transportation charge be fixed at Rs 1500 from Lumshnong to Assam during a meeting held with the East Deputy Commissioner on April 22, 2025. But it was later left to the decision of the cement factories to take a call.
MCTODA chief adviser S. Kyndiah said the transportation rate was renewed from 2021 by the state government, but the cement companies have not followed.
MCTODA president Heibormi Pariat said the demand will continue for truckers to secure their rights.
The two associations have decided to meet cement companies on June 14 to press on their demand and warned of intensifying their agitation if the representatives of the companies do not come forward to discuss the demand.
