By IANS,
New Delhi : Transport Minister T.R. Baalu Saturday urged leaders of truckers across the country to come for talks and to end their six-day-old strike that has hit the economy hard.
“We want ot impress upon the strikers to kindly call off the strike, come forward (for talks). We are ready to discuss (their demands),” the minister told reporters here.
He said the government had been making the appeal every day. “Even now I am requesting through you (media).”
Asked how talks could take place when strike leaders had been arrested, Baalu insisted that “only a handful of people have been arrested. Other office bearers are there, they can come and discuss with me. They have not been arrested so far”.
At the same time, the minister described as “irrelevant” the demands of truckers which include bringing down the prices of diesel and tyres.
“I am only requesting them to come forward. If you want to have any clarifications, we are here to clarify,” he said. “Even now I am requesting them to come forward, we will discuss.”