Kejriwal draws flak over statement on reviving truck unions in Punjab

Mohali, December 31

The Mohali Industries Association (MIA) on Friday condemned Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party president Arvind Kejriwal’s statement wherein he talked about revival of truck unions in Punjab in case AAP comes to power in the state.

Anurag Aggarwal, president, MIA, said, “This anti-industry statement given by the AAP president is highly condemnable and is like fanning industrial unrest in Punjab. Such irresponsible statements coming from leader of such high standing is surprising.”

The MIA would urge the CII, the PHD Chamber and other associations of Punjab to take up this matter in their areas so that the industry was not once again pushed back to cartelisation, syndication and exploitation at the hands of truck unions, he added. It was only after long struggle by industries associations that truck unions were abolished in Punjab, he said.

At that time, truck union freight rates were higher by 50 to 60 per cent compared to those in the open market, he added. “Industries are not averse to truck operators from Punjab, but industrialists are fighting a competitive battle with their counterparts in other states. Punjab being landlocked state it is important that the freight rate is genuine for the survival of the industry,” he said.

Rajeev Gupta, general secretary, MIA, said, “Kejriwal should clarify his stand for the upliftment of the industry in Punjab and refrain from adopting a please-all strategy without thinking of the economic consequences of his decisions.”

Vivek Kapoor, vice-president, MIA, urged local AAP candidate Kulwant Singh to clarify his stand on truck unions otherwise the association would boycott any party, which takes anti-industry stand. — TNS