Ultratech cement company and truck operator deadlock ends: Govind Thakur

Ultratech cement company and truck operator deadlock ends: Govind Thakur

            Vijyender Sharma

SHIMLA---After the intervention of the state government the 20 days deadlock over payload between Ultratech Cement Company and local truck operators has finally come to an end.

            Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur said here today that the government mediated between the cement company and truck operators over the issue of 12 ton payload and the issue has been resolved.

            He said that Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has asked him to hold a meeting with Additional Chief Secretary, Industry and Principal Secretary Transport. The meeting was held on was held on 5 January, 2019 and another meeting was convened on 7 January with all the stakeholders under the chairmanship of District Magistrate, Solan. The truck operator agreed to give 5% discount to the company for the increased 11 and 12 ton payload.

            Earlier, the company was giving 10 tonnes of load to truck operators, whereas a notification issued on July 18, 2018 by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the axle load of freight carrier vehicles was increased. Truck operators were demanding increased payload, while the company was giving loads as per previous provision, which resulted into standoff between both the sides.

            Govind Singh Thakur said that a committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the SDM, Arki on the other matters related to truck operators and cement companies, which will send its report to the government within 15 days through the Deputy Commissioner, Solan.

            The Transport Minister said that the state government is making uniform development of the state by protecting the interests of all sections of the society, so that the state could move forward in the direction of ease of doing business and investment could be attracted. He said that transporters have always been playing an important role in the interest of state and industry. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the priority of the state government is to protect the interests of the local people and provide employment, along with the upliftment of industries in the state.

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