Transport business in Jamshedpur reeling under heavy losses, demand to immediate increase tariff

Jamshedpur, Nov 13: Over 1000 crore transport business in the city is reeling under heavy losses these days. Already badly hit by pandemic Covid-19, the owners are now facing the wrath of registered vendors of Tata Steel due to poor pay and lack of facilities.

The truck and trailer owners transporting goods for Tata Steel are demanding better tariff and have alleged that the registered vendors are indulging in highhandedness and are not increasing their tariff.

“Tata Steel has not increased goods transportation tariff to the registered vendors, the latter are too paying us as per the old rate. This has been causing a lot of problems for them and our livelihood is at stake.  Moreover, as per the new law the company is not giving priority in loading to 10 years old vehicles, the government should make it mandatory to allow loading by following the 15 years rule,” said an official of Jamshedpur Truck & Trailer Owners’ Association.

The official said the highhandedness of the vendors has pushed them to the brink of financial crisis. The company must ensure to pay 20 per cent more fare in the new tender than the old rate, due to the increase in the prices of vehicles and the huge increase in the prices of tyres and diesel.

Around 5-10 thousand truck and trailer owners work through registered vendors of Tata Steel. However, they allege that the registered vendors are not paying them fair transportation charges. This has led to large scale unemployment and loss.

They also blamed Tata Steel for this situation and said that the company should take steps to increase pay of the vendors.  “ If Tata Steel ignores all these demands, the association will again become instrumental in blocking the company gate,” said the official.