Maharashtra transport strike postponed after government assurance

Maharashtra Transport Action Committee members protest against the e-challan system at Azad Maidan on Thursday. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

The strike called by the Maharashtra Transport Action Committee (M-TAC) has been postponed after the state government assured transporters that their issues would be resolved. M-TAC representatives told mid-day they decided to defer the strike after receiving a written assurance from Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.

Positive response

"The response to the call for the strike has been positive, and we have been assured in writing by the state government that it will look into our demands after the Budget Session," Harsh Kotak, a transporters' leader and private bus owner, told mid-day. Kotak said that a meeting is likely to be held next week, after which they will decide their course of action. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also spoke to them through a video call, assuring them that their grievances would be resolved.

Protesters' demands

Bal Malkit Singh, advisor, All India Motor Transport Congress and an M-TAC member, said several pressing issues were affecting the sector, particularly concerns relating to the e-challan system and long-pending demands.

What minister promised

Sarnaik said, "A strike would add to problems. Hence, I have appealed to transporters to hold back the strike call. The government is serious about resolving their issues and is sensitive to their various demands."