As many as 3,000 trucks carrying petroleum products were off the roads today following an indefinite strike in protest against the imposition of 14.5 per cent VAT on transportation charges.
Telangana State Petroleum Tank Trucks Owners Association president K Rajashekhar Reddy rued that no state in the country has imposed such tax on petroleum goods transportation.
"All 3,000 tankers and trucks are participating in the indefinite strike until the tax is rolled back," Reddy said.
Commercial Taxes department officials have held talks with oil marketing company officials in the last two days. Yesterday, the officials held futile discussions with truck/tanker owners.
Many petrol bunks here witnessed panic buying from consumers as they feared shortage of petrol and diesel following the strike.
Besides increasing the minimum wage, government has
decided to pay bonus for 2014-15 and 2015-16 to central government employees based on revised norms. This will have annual financial implication of Rs 1,920 crore.
It has also assured that the amendment in the payment of Bonus Act will be implemented strictly and it will support the cause of unions in high courts and the Supreme Court.
Dattatreya said that 97 cases regarding implementation of amendments in Payment of Bonus Act are pending in 14 High Courts and the Supreme Court.
The government is trying to get stay orders vacated for implementation of the changes in Payment of Bonus Act, he said.
Of the 12 demands put forth by the trade unions, only 8 are related to labour issues and the government is working on seven of them, he added.
The government also said that it will issue advisories to states for ensuring completion of trade union registration within 45 days.
Jaitley said registration of contract workers and their staffing agencies is mandatory and states will be advised to strictly implement them.
Errant contractors will face appropriate action for violation of law, he warned.
The issue of giving social security benefit to the unorganised sector (like Anganwadi, mid-day meal, Asha volunteers) will be examined by a committee which will submit its report at the "earliest".
Asked about the strike call, Jaitley said: "I think we have responsible trade unions.
