Bengaluru, July 27 (KNN) As the truckers’ strike enters 7 days, industries from across India are panicked over the losses they are incurring due to the strike. Highlighting the concerns, Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) said the impact is being felt badly by the MSMEs.

KASSIA said, “The negative effects of the All India Truckers Strike has begun to be felt by industry, particularly SMEs, which depend on road transport for  conveyance of raw materials and finished goods.”

All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), which claims support of 93 lakh truckers, started a nationwide infinite strike on July 20.

The nationwide truckers strike against the government for various issues, including a demand to rationalise taxes on diesel and reduce its prices, in accordance with the international market, has entered 7th day due to which large number of states has been facing humongous loss in business and trade.

KASSIA said, “It has particularly been causing a lot of worry to SMEs as the issues raised by the truckers still remain unaddressed and  the strike is likely to prolong with serious implications for the transport of goods and services and also production operations. The entire business activities will come to a standstill very soon.”

As the supply chains are linked critically with the road transport network, SMEs will suffer greatly in case the issues are not resolved,  in addition to the impact on the supply of essential commodities of daily consumption, KASSIA Vice President R Raju said.

The association has “strongly urged” the Governments - both at the Centre and State - to address the issues raised by the Road Transporters immediately so that the strike is not prolonged leading to disruption of industry and the economy.

As such the SMEs are going through an extremely difficult situation and all efforts must be made to see that the strike ends as soon as possible, Raju said. (KNN Bureau)