Nagpur: The third day of transporters’ strike only had an impact on rates of a few items of day to day use.The supply of grains, vegetables and other commodities of essential use is normal, say traders. However, as trucks which ply on long routes have remained off the roads, industrial units have started facing problems over availability of raw material and spares.Kukku Marwah, president of Nagpur Truckers’ Unity, maintained that the strike was total. “Hardly a truck could be spotted on the highways. This has also affected the business of petrol pump owners along the highways,” he said.The truckers’ demands include reduction in diesel rates, cut in the proposed premium for third party insurance, doing away with subsidy on kerosene and clubbing all toll taxes on a route to one. Marwah said truckers are demanding that the subsidy on kerosene should be removed because it is encouraging adulteration.Meanwhile, vegetable traders at the agriculture produce market at Kalamna said the supplies of vegetables have remained normal except that of a few. “The trucks from Indore have stopped due to the strike. The unions have a strong presence there. This has slightly increased rates of vegetables like carrots, beet root and karela (bittergourd) which come from the area,” said Nandkishore Gaur, president of the vegetable vendors’ association at Kalamna market.Majority of vegetables come locally in smaller vehicles which are not involved in the strike. Pratap Motwani, secretary of The Itwari Grain and Seeds Merchants Association, said the supply of foodgrains has not been affected at all. “But the rates of pulses have gone up by Rs200 to 300 a quintal, due to other market factors,” he said.Pankaj Wasani, an onion and potato trader, said prices of the latter have increased by Rs100 per maund (40 kgs). A large amount of potatoes come form Uttar Pradesh and the supply has been held up due to the strike. Potatoes are now in the range of Rs600 to 700 a maund (40 kgs). There has been no impact on onion prices as the commodity is locally procured. Onions are still available at Rs500 to 600 a maund, he said.Industrialists, however, reported to have started facing problems over supplies. Atul Pandey, the president of Vidarbha Industries Association said, these days industries keep lean inventory to save costs. Now, the strike has hampered the operations.

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