Truckers on two-day strike: All you need to know

*Truck operators across the country are striking against the Goods and Services Tax (GST), high diesel prices, harassment by authorities on roads, and toll policies

*Transporters claim the 'reverse charge' and 'forward charge' mechanisms in the new tax regime have created confusion. They are also unhappy that the sale of used assets attracts double taxation under the GST - 28 per cent while buying and selling trucks

*Truckers also want taxes on diesel to be rationalised in accordance with international markets and on the basis of crude oil prices

*The decision to strike came after "last minute negotiations between the government and transporters failed to resolve the logjam over their demands," said Harish Sabharwal, Additional Vice President (North) of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC)

*The transporters' body has exempt essential goods from the 'chakka jam'

*The truck operators may intensify the agitation post-Diwali if the government fails to address their grievances

*Bal Malkit Singh, chairman of AIMTC's core committee, claimed that day on of the strike saw around "70 to 80 per cent of business shut down across the country"

*The Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training, however, termed the strike a "damp squib"

*The AIMTC is the top body of transporters in India and represents around 93 lakh truckers and around 50 lakhs bus and tourist operators across India. It claims support from several other transporters' bodies

*According to the AIMTC, the transport sector employs 12 crore people - directly and indirectly



(With inputs from agencies)