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All-India truck, bus strike paralyses transportation (Lead)
New Delhi/Mumbai, July 20 (IANS) Transportation services across the country were severely impacted on Friday as private bus and truck operators began an indefinite strike to press for their various demands, including a reduction in diesel prices.
According to the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), transportation services to and from ports, refineries and industrial units have been stopped.
“After the inconclusive talks with Nitin Gadkari (Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways) and Piyush Goyal (Union Minister for Finance), the transport fraternity of India proceeded with indefinite suspension of transport operations nationwide,” AIMTC Secretary General Naveen Kumar Gupta told IANS.
The industry has demanded that diesel be brought under the ambit of GST and tax structures like the e-way bill should be simplified.
At present, the main transport fuel — diesel — constitutes nearly 60 per cent of the overall operations cost of the industry.
The strike is expected to hike the prices of essential commodities and impact inter-state travel.
As per a AIMTC statement: “Processions, protest rallies, meetings, sit-in dharnas marked” the first day of nationwide strike.
“The angst and the frustration of the truckers and the transporters of India poured out due to non resolution of the issues of the trade in a concrete manner.”
The AIMTC pointed out that there was total bandh in Maharashtra, Gujarat, entire South India, Uttralchand, Chattisgarh, Odhisa, Chandigarh, UP, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&K.
“The movement will get intensified in days to come,” the statement added.
An office-bearer of All Indian Transporters’ Welfare Association (AITWA) said that “the ‘chakka jam’ (strike) call by the All India Motor Congress has evoked a massive response” as the issues raised affect the main stakeholders — the truck-bus operators.
A large number of transporters led by Bombay Goods Transport Association (BGTA) committee member Deepak Verma also started an indefinite sit-in (dharna) protest at Azaid Maidan in Mumbai.
The prime demands of the AITWA include — a reduction in prices of diesel by bringing it under goods and services tax (GST), six-monthly revision of fuel prices instead of the existing daily fluctuations, abolishing toll tax at all road toll posts in the country.
“We have already informed the government to scrap toll tax totally since the waiting period at toll posts results in massive losses by way of fuel and other overheads. The AITWA has said the government can collect the entire toll tax burden from us in advance annually but there is no response,” said the AITWA official.
Additionally, the transporters are upset about the high insurance premia, reduction in third-party premia and exempting it from GST, exemptions in certain other direct taxes, permit system overhaul and others.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.