Maharashtra transport minister urges transporters to withdraw March 5 strike call over e-challans

Mumbai: Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Tuesday appealed to transporters across Maharashtra to withdraw their proposed agitation from March 5, saying the state govt was "positive" about cancelling unfair e-challans and initiated a formal process to address the wider set of demands raised by the sector.A section of transporters on Tuesday said they appealed to vehicle owners to blow the vehicle horn for 1 minute at 4 pm on Wednesday to oppose the e-challan system. "Blow the horn wherever you are to support transporters in their fight against the irregularities in the e-challan system," said Harsh Kotak from Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatana. "We also want people from all sectors of commercial transport to join the stir," he added.
Various transport organisations threatened an indefinite strike from midnight of March 5, with school buses, trucks, tempos, taxis, trailers, private cabs and autorickshaws expected to participate in the stir. The agitation is largely centred on the e-challan system, which transporters allege is being misused and is leading to arbitrary penalties.Sarnaik said a joint meeting of the police administration, representatives of transporters' organisations and the transport commissioner was convened on March 5 to resolve pending issues. "Efforts will be made to give justice to their demands in this meeting," he said, urging unions to suspend the strike call until discussions are held.Sarnaik said he met representatives of several transporter bodies a couple of days back to hear their grievances. Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar and officials from the concerned police administration were present during the meeting. The minister acknowledged that "feelings are very strong" among transporters on the issue of e-challans.He cited complaints that e-challans are being issued "with malice" even on vehicles parked in designated parking areas, and that some staff are generating challans without approval from authorised officers. Calling such action unfair, Sarnaik said strict instructions were issued to ensure that, going forward, only authorised officers will initiate e-challan action. He added that the govt was positive about cancelling previously issued challans that are found to be unjust.However, sections of the transport community said the outreach was inadequate. Malik Patel of the Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatana claimed some associations were not given an opportunity to meet the minister. "The minister did not bother to call us. The agitation will continue on a larger scale now," Patel warned. He added that transporters would proceed with the protest until there is an official written decision. "We are going ahead with our agitation till nothing comes officially on paper," he added.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !