Kerala truckers call off strike

The week-long truckers' strike in Kerala ended on Monday following the government's decision to keep in abeyance the hike in vehicle tax.

The decision was announced by transport minister R Balakrishna Pillai in the assembly, after which the truck owners' associations and transport workers' union held a meeting with the minister.

Pillai, responding to an adjournment motion on the matter, said the tax increase would be deferred till the high court pronounced the judgement in a connected case pending before the court.

The strike, demanding the roll back of tax hike had crippled movement of freight - leading to rise in prices of essentials and vegetables. The stir also hit the supply of petrol and diesel.