All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) would start nationwide strike from Monday. Transporters have been demanding decline in diesel price by Rs 10 per litre and uniform VAT of 4 per cent on fuel.

They alleged that government failed to save the interest of transporters while announcing special measures for other sectors in the recent stimulus package. Government should immediately pass benefits of reduction in prices of crude in international market to customers. It may be recalled that international crude rates currently stand at $38 from peak level of $147 during August 2008.
 
Expressing solidarity with AIMTC, the president of Rajasthan Truck Transportation Union, Venugopal Shetty said, "New or old, every truck running on the road has to pay an equal amount of value tax to the state government, which is not justified as the value of a year-old truck and the one running for over 10 years can't be same."

He further demanded removal SAF tax in Rajasthan as neighboring states of Punjab, Delhi and Haryana are selling diesel at cheaper prices.

Ved Bushan Shetty of RTTU said, "This additional 60 paise per litre was being charged for the maintenance of roads in the state. Now when, the maintenance is being done by various bodies why is the money being charged by common man."

The scheduled strike of transporters feared to bring life in many of the commercials centers to a standstill. It would lead to huge revenue loss of about Rs 40,000 crore to state exchequer besides affecting supply of essential goods like vegetables and fruits.

Meanwhile, operators have asked truckers to avoid long haul freight booking and support the strike to make government listen their demands.