Mizoram commercial vehicle union withdraws strike

Aizawl: Mizoram Commercial Vehicle Union (MCVU) has withdrawn its decision to go on an indefinite strike from Monday demanding a reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel. 

The union’s president PC Malsawma on Sunday said they have withdrawn their plan to go on an indefinite strike after Chief Minister Lalduhoma requested them to wait till the cabinet meeting on October 16.

Leaders of MCVU met the chief minister last week who asked them to wait till the cabinet meeting. 

Malsawma said that during the meeting between the union and CM Lalduhoma, it was agreed that the chief minister will inform the state Public Works Department (PWD) and construction companies to expedite the repairing works of the most dilapidated sections of the national highways and intrastate highways which fall under their jurisdictions. 

The Mizoram government has hiked the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs four per litre each from September 1 this year increasing value-added tax (VAT) on petrol from 5.23 per cent to 10 per cent and diesel from 16.36 per cent to 18 per cent.

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Taxation Minister Vanlalthlana later clarified that the hike in fuel prices was meant for social infrastructure and road maintenance.

Vanlalthlana said the government imposed a new levy of Rs two per litre on both diesel and petrol for social infrastructure and services cess, and additional Rs two per litre for road maintenance.

He said the decision to hike fuel prices was taken for the benefit and welfare of the people of Mizoram.

Meanwhile, the truck owners have decided to go on strike for an indefinite period starting from Monday to protest against the dilapidated condition of National Highway 306, particularly the Sairang-Darlui stretch.

The National Highway 306 is the primary lifeline of Mizoram linking the hill state with the rest of the country via Assam. 

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A statement issued by the Mizoram Truck Driver Association, Mizoram Tipper Association of Driver and Owner, and Mizoram Indane Driver Welfare said that the Sairang-Darlui stretch of the highway is still in poor condition and is dangerous for the truckers.

The Sairang-Darlui stretch has not been repaired up to the required standard by the construction agency even after the chief minister’s direction.

The associations said that they will stop plying on the national highway till the most dilapidated stretch is repaired for trucks to ply safely.