ZCZC
BCN-13
INDIA-ECONOMY-TRANSPORT-STRIKE
Truckers’ strike hits Indian industry
NEW DELHI, July 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Indian carmakers Friday said they
faced an “unprecedented crisis” due to an ongoing strike by truckers which
has caused parts shortages and hit exports.
The All India Motor Transport Congress called the strike to press Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s government to reduce taxes on fuel, roll back higher
insurance premiums and cut highway tolls.
The truck drivers’ union says hundreds of thousands of members are backing
the campaign which has seen vehicles stranded at borders and fears that food
prices could rise because of shortages.
Media reports said many Indian industrial giants and suppliers of
essential food commodities were suffering growing disruption.
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers said its members, including
Tata Motors and the Indian operations of Ford and Skoda, faced an
“unprecedented crisis” because of parts shortages due to the week-long
strike.
SIAM deputy director general Sugato Sen said in a statement that
consignments were stuck on roads across India.
“Even the exports have taken a hit, resulting in losses for most of our
members, who are unable to fulfil their export commitments,” Sen said.
Industrialised states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu which
have key textile, pharmaceutical, chemical and ceramic industries have also
seen disruptions.
Experts said that while essential food items had so far avoided problems
because of local supplies, prices would soon start rising if the strike goes
on.
On the Indian frontier with Pakistan, Amarjeet Singh Chinda and about 350
other drivers joined the strike earlier in the week, largely halting the
limited cross-border trade between the arch-rivals.
“Other associations have been on a strike since July 20 but we only joined
three days ago after others insisted that we show solidarity with a common
cause against the government,” Chinda, president of the Attari border truck
operators association, told AFP.
The association’s drivers mostly transport dried fruit, dates, cement and
gypsum from Pakistan. These are collected at the Attari crossing in Punjab
state, the only place where goods can go between the two countries.
BSS/AFP/HR/1020