By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 13: A joint meeting of the agitating truckers, cement companies, and the state government finally decided to fix a uniform transportation rate of Rs 9 per tonne per kilometre for cement and clinker movement within Meghalaya.
The decision was arrived at a meeting convened by the state government and attended by representatives of eight cement companies and the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Drivers Association (MCTODA).
The new rate replaces the previously fluctuating range of Rs 7-Rs 11 per tonne per km, a move welcomed by all the transporters.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said the new rate applies only to intrastate transport.
In addition, discussions were also held on the need to have a 120 truck quota for local vehicles to transport cement from the cement companies on a daily basis.
As of now, 80 local trucks are being used to transport cement but the cement companies agreed to increase the daily quota to 100 trucks.
MCTODA president Mosklander Marngar Mosklander Marngar sought priority for local trucks.
Another meeting is scheduled to be held on November 21. During the meeting, the MCTODA is likely to ask the state government to drop all cases registered against their leaders, who were released on bail on Tuesday.
