Nagpur: Highlighting various difficulties faced by carriers, the Nagpur Trailer Owners Union recently urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to relax taxes, permit fees, insurance costs and waiver of interest on the loan and extension of the repayment period for monthly payments.

Shailendra Mishra, president of the Nagpur Trailer Owners Union, said the circumstances that had prevailed over the past year had brought them to their knees. “With fixed exits and uncertain income, we are bearing the brunt of the pandemic. In view of the deterioration of our financial conditions and the looming uncertainties, we demand an immediate cancellation of taxes, permits, insurance and fitness fees as well as an extension of interest-free installments. The lockdown environment for most of the past year has hampered economic activities, ”he said, adding that industries and factories have been forced to operate at minimum due to lack of manpower. work and material, thus reducing production. goods.

Inadequate supply, weak demand, lukewarm conditions and an increase in COVID-19 cases
impeded the movement of material, resulting in the majority of transport vehicles inactive. However, they have to cover maintenance costs, driver salaries, insurance costs, finance charges, etc., although hardly any income is generated. Adding to their woes, auto aftermarket stores were closed, rendering freight forwarders unable to benefit from vehicle maintenance and repair.

The nominal relief measures provided by the government have proven to be in vain as the costs of running with such restrictions are considerably higher than the gains.

“A full lockdown with all the necessary waivers would be less onerous than the current irregular lockdown at various intervals which is bleeding our finances,” the union told ministers in a letter sent to them.

Apart from that, Mishra said there was a huge rise in fuel prices which is also one of the reasons the business has been affected the most.

“As we all know, the second wave of COVID-19 is very serious compared to the first wave. Almost everyone else in our family has been infected, resulting in heavy medical costs at the same time. There are many other reasons that have affected our business. Under these circumstances, it would be in the interests of justice to consider the interest waiver request from March 2020 until the lockdown is fully lifted. “With all of these issues in mind, we implore you to show us basic empathy and urgently respond to our requests,” Mishra said.