Indore: The call for indefinite strike by truck and tanker associations against hike in value-added tax on fuel from Saturday may hit supply of fuel at petrol pumps and transportation of goods in festive season. Petroleum Tankers Operators Sangh along with other associations representing truck and medium and heavy commercial vehicles have decided to keep vehicles off road from October 5, said transport associations to press for their demand for exemption in lifetime tax on old heavy commercial vehicles and rollback of 5 per cent value added tax that makes fuel in MP costliest in the country.

Loading, unloading of vehicles, movement of goods from industries, supplies of raw materials and fuel will be adversely hit due to the strike.

Munna Lal Rai, president, Petroleum Tankers Operators Sangh said, “We will not transport fuel to any stations from tomorrow. The hike in fuel prices has almost killed us. We are not able to pay our monthly installments for vehicles.”

Indore Truck Operators & Transport Association has claimed to have support from over 60 transport associations of state mostly from Malwa-Nimar.

Champalal Mukati, vice president, Indore Truck Operators & Transport Association said, “Transporters have stopped bookings and all vehicles will be off business from 6 am on Saturday. The strike will hit movement of goods and lead to huge business loss in the festive season.”

Members of transport and tanker associations held a meeting on Friday, where about 200 transporters participated and decided course of operation during strike.

The movement of buses will remain unaffected as bus owners association have given their moral support but will continue to ply buses. TNN

