APMC Vashi unaffected as trucks arrive with vegetables, situation expected to be normal on Tuesday; protesters plan march from APMC to JNPT

Mumbai: Truckers protesting the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and rise in diesel prices held a chakka jam at Mankhurd checkpost on Monday, as part of the two-day nationwide agitation called by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC). The apex body has around 93 lakh truckers and 50 lakhs bus and tourist operators across India.

In Mumbai, the strike was observed by transport associations affiliated to the AIMTC, including the Federation of Bombay Motors Transport Operators (FBMTO), Bombay Transport Cooperative Consumers Society Ltd (BTCCSL) and Maharashtra Tank Lorry Owners Association (MTLOA).

Bal Malkit Singh, chairman, core committee, AIMTC, said, “We are protesting disruptive policies under GST and are demanding that diesel be brought under the new tax regime.” He said there is a lot of confusion due to the numerous rules and regulations imposed on the road and transport sector. “The sale of used business assets attracts GST, which leads to double taxation. We don’t want [GST] registration and compliance for any transport sector vertical, or double taxation on sale of used business assets. We recommend a notified e-waybill system as a solution.”

Fuel price hike

Truckers say the rise in diesel prices and daily changes in fuel rates have adversely affected the transport sector. The AIMTC has suggested that government bodies revise prices on a quarterly basis, keeping crude prices in mind. “Diesel prices should be uniform across the country,” Mr. Singh said.

Protesters claimed there is rampant corruption on highways, and substantial sums have to paid to ward off government officers. On Tuesday, AIMTC plans to stage a protest at BTCCSL in APMC truck terminal at Vashi, following which a rally is planned from APMC market to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust.

APMC unaffected

The Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) market in Vashi was unaffected by the strike, with close to 650 trucks of vegetables arriving on Monday as they had started out on Sunday. “On Tuesday, too, we don’t expect disruption in supply as tempos and pickup vans are running,” Kailash Tajne, president, APMC vegetable market, said. He said supply of a few vegetables that come from other States could be affected.

The grain and masala market was not hit by the transport strike. “The stock came in as usual on Monday. We have enough stock for a week,” Murlidhar Pawar, president (Transport) for the market, said.