The Hindu : Transport of water, milk expemted from stir

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Transport of water, milk expemted from stir

By Our Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM APRIL 14. Lorries went off the road in the district as the indefinite strike by transport operators commenced on Monday.

Several thousands of lorries operating from and passing through the district stopped plying. However, the first day's strike passed off peacefully as the owners had withdrawn their lorries voluntarily.

The steering committee consisting of 12 organisations of lorry owners and operators had given time to the lorries engaged in unloading to finish it on the first day but activities will have to stop from the second. Lorries carrying perishable goods like eggs were not stopped.

Among the transport operators' demands were withdrawal of proposed cess on diesel and the order scrapping vehicles over 15 years old, and abolishment of toll tax and other taxes.

It is expected that the impact of strike will not be felt for the next two or three days as sufficient stocks of essential commodities and petroleum are available. Edible oil stocks will last for two days and will be brought from Kakinada later with police escort if necessary. Transport of water and milk was exempted from the strike.

Transport of vegetables is not expected to be a problem since the APSRTC is transporting farmers from rural areas to the Rytu Bazaars along with stocks of vegetables every day.

The officials headed by the Collector were monitoring the situation.

The chairman of the steering committee of transport operators, M. Someswara Rao, said the strike was total and peaceful. The steering committee had set up camps at the toll gate on the National Highway near Aganampudi, near the Ayyappa Swamy temple at Natayyapalem, Coromandel gate and Balacheruvu near the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, to implement the strike. Some inter-state lorries were dissuaded from entering the city.

Mr. Someswara Rao said the vans were also stopped from plying and steering-autos were asked not to operate from tomorrow.

The general secretary , C.S.N. Reddy, honorary president, T. Appalaswamy, and other office-bearers of the steering committee participated in implementing the strike call.

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