Truck unions to gherao CM’s residence today in Sangrur: Ladowal toll plaza to be closed on March 7

Chandigarh: Truck unions in Punjab have once again initiated a confrontation with the government. Today, they have planned to surround CM Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Sangrur, while simultaneously announcing the blockade of the Ladowal toll plaza near Ludhiana on the 7th. The agitated farmer unions allege that the state government is not earnest about addressing their grievances.

Happy Sandhu, the leader of the truck union, asserts that for the past decade, they have been persistently advocating for their demands. Despite changes in governments over this period, they have not received any concrete assurances. Sandhu emphasized that their list comprises eight demands, with the paramount one being the restriction of work for trucks from outside states in the local sector. This measure, they argue, would be advantageous for both truck owners and the government.

Officials of the truck union further highlighted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the truck union had been granted certain tax exemptions. They are now advocating for the regularization of these tax exemptions and proposing that one year’s tax should be paid in advance. Additionally, they are urging for a penalty system where overloaded trucks are charged ten times the tax, mirroring the practices in other states.