The associations of truck owners at national and state level have started a campaign seeking remunerative truck hire charges/freight rates due to the hike in retail price of diesel, a release from the Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT) said.
Truckers have demanded that hire rates be increased 8-12 per cent owing to rise in diesel prices by Rs 1.88 per litre since June. Tyre prices, motor insurance and motor vehicle taxes have also increased. As against a diesel cost impact of Rs 465-1,040 per trip on different trunk routes, truck hire charges have gone up by only Rs 100-300 in the June-September period.
The release alleged that transporter bodies controlled by transport companies and contractors were not keen on a solution but were trying to put off the issue by launching a nationwide agitation blaming the government for the problems.