Lorry Strike Affects MSMEs Throughout India; Association Wants Government to Intervene

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The lorry strike, which entered the seventh day, has affected the business in many states. The lorry operators have been demanding rationalisation of taxes on diesel and reduction in fuel prices in sync with the international market. All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) had called for a nationwide lorry strike on 20 July 2018.

Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) Vice-President R Raju said that the strike has caused overall trade to stop. Manufacturers and traders are unable to move their items either for local customers or for exporting, due to the lorry strike. He added that the government should intervene or else the situation will worsen across the entire nation.

Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA) General Secretary CK Mohan said that trade is surely affected as transporting goods without lorries is a huge challenge. He adds that the repercussions cannot be analysed in numbers.

Federation of Indian Small and Micro Enterprises (FISME) president Dinesh Chandra Tripathi said that the lorry strike has greatly affected trade in Maharashtra, the business hub of India. The loss has amounted to INR 14 thousand crores so far. The Marathas strike for reservation has also added to the losses.

Federation of Punjab Small Industries Federation (FOPSIA) President Badish Jindal said 60 per cent of the MSME units in Punjab are in a situation where they have to shut down.

In the Rajya Sabha, Member of Parliament Rajeev Gowda brought the lorry strike issue to the notice of the government, saying that the lorry strike is slowing down the entire economy; multiple sectors, including consumers are affected.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]