ESMA invoked ahead of truckers’ stir on July 20

| | BHUBANESWAR | in Bhubaneswar

The State Government has invoked the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA) to deal with a strike called by transporters, loaders and tippers under the banner of the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) on July 20.

The prohibitory order would remain in force for next six months.

Transport associations cannot resort to strike; and violation of the ESMA would attract legal action, cautioned the Home Department in a notification.

The proposed stir would lead to a halt in mineral transportation, as a result of which the State Government would lose crores of rupees daily.

Further, it would hit production and Government royalty. Therefore, the ESMA has been put into force, the notification added.

The AIMTC has called the strike for fulfilment of its various demands.