Jammu: Private transporters in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday night postponed their proposed strike after holding a meeting with some government officials here.
Earlier during the day, the private transporters had announced the suspension of tanker and truck services, saying their doors are open if the J-K administration is interested in addressing their genuine demands through negotiations.
We have decided to postpone the proposed strike after an hour-long meeting with Transport commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Jammu. We are holding another meeting tomorrow with Commissioner Secretary Transport and got an assurance that all our genuine demands would be addressed, Chairman of All J&K Transport Welfare Association (AJKTWA) T S Wazir told PTI.
The agitating transporters, who among other things are seeking an economic package for the industry to overcome the coronavirus-driven crisis, also expressed displeasure over the government move to increase the road or token tax on the old vehicles registered before August 3, 2019 with the concerned transport authorities.
Wazir, who led a strong protest demonstration for the second straight day here, had accused the administration of forcing them on the roads and said we have kept our doors open for negotiations .
Besides the relief package for the drivers, cleaners and other allied workers of the transport industry badly affected by the lockdown, the association is demanding among other things a revision in passenger fare, freight charges to the extent of at least 50 per cent, waiving interest of the loans taken by transporters for vehicles and waiving insurance and other fees during the lockdown period besides withdrawing of toll plazas in J&K.