New Delhi: Truck operators, whose six-day old strike has disrupted movement of goods and shot up prices of essential commodities, today (Aug 26, 2004) threatened to keep their vehicles off the roads for three months if the Government did not revoke a new service tax on freight booking agents.

"If our demand is not met immediately, we are willing to continue this strike for three months," said B N Dhumal, president of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), the largest union of truck owners in the country.

After yesterday's (Aug 25, 2004) failed talks between the Government and AIMTC, the striking truckers refused further talks apparently angered at the arrest of O P Agrawal, chairman of All India Motor Transport Welfare Association by Delhi police under ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act).

"We are willing to talk but use of police force against our peaceful agitation will only precipitate the situation," AIMTC secretary general J M Saksena said.

Dhumal said if Agrawal was not released the exemption given to essential services will be withdrawn from tomorrow (Aug 27, 2004).

Meanwhile, the Government kept a close vigil on the situation developing out of stoppage of inter-State movement of goods particularly perishable commodities which had led to shooting up of prices by as much as 25-30 per cent.

"Cabinet Secretary B K Chaturvedi is regularly reviewing situation with concerned ministries," official sources said.

The strike has also affected industrial production due to disruption in raw material and component supplies and movement of finished goods out of factories besides halving diesel sales by oil firms, who have in six days lost Rs 450 crore.