Truck stir called off after 9 days

Bengaluru: The nine-day-long truck strike was withdrawn on Saturday afternoon after the Union government, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority and state government fulfilled a few of the demands of agitating truck owners, including a 23% cut in the insurance premium amount.

Sources said that on Saturday, truck owners’ association members held several rounds of talks with officials from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and Ministry of Finance in New Delhi and with IRDA officials in Hyderabad. After which, it was decided to withdraw the strike.

The sources said that one of the major demands of transporters, reduction of the proposed, steep 50% hike in third party premium by IRDA, has been acceded to and it has been capped at an upper limit of 27%. “This means the premium amount will be down by 23%,” said Mr G.R. Shanmugappa, General Secretary, South India Motor Transport Association (SIMTA).

“IRDA has agreed to form a consultative committee with representatives from the Road Transport & Highways Ministry, Finance Ministry and five members of truck owners association to discuss issues of the transport sector, including the third party premiumhike, claims issues etc," they said.

“On issues related to toll charges, the Ministry has constituted a standing committee headed by the Joint Secretary (Road Transport). This will ensure that the issues will be addressed in an expeditious manner along with monthly reviews on the progress made," said a member of the association.