Mumbai, March 5 The Maharashtra Transport Action Committee (M-TAC) announced on Thursday evening that it was postponing its indefinite strike, which was scheduled to begin at midnight, after receiving a written assurance from state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik that their concerns would be addressed after the Budget session concludes.
"Following the minister's request, the strike has been postponed for a week. Therefore, there will be no strike from midnight," said Anil Garg, a leader of the School Bus Owners Association, which is part of M-TAC.
Harsh Kotak, another leader of private bus owners, said that besides Sarnaik's written assurance regarding issues related to e-challans and other concerns, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also spoke to them via video call and assured them that their grievances would be resolved.
"A meeting is likely to be held next week, after which we will decide on the future course of action regarding the strike," Kotak said.
In his letter to transporters, Sarnaik said that the administration is currently busy with the Budget Session and efforts are being made to reach a positive decision on the issues faced by transporters after the session.
Sarnaik also wrote that exports of goods have been disrupted due to the Iran war.
Moreover, considering the ongoing school examinations, passenger movement in the state should not be further affected, he said in the letter.
"Therefore, I urge you to call off your scheduled strike from midnight of March 5," Sarnaik said.
Earlier, while announcing the strike, M-TAC had said that school buses, contract carriage buses, private buses and commercial vehicles, including trucks, tempos, taxis and tankers, would remain off the roads during the indefinite agitation.
