Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ruled out a rollback of the government decision to ban truck unions in the state, but has assured that the views of all stakeholders would be taken before the final notification is issued.

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ruled out a rollback of the government decision to ban truck unions in the state, but has assured that the views of all stakeholders would be taken before the final notification is issued.

The chief minister told a delegation of representatives of various truck unions that the interests of the truckers would be protected and the views of the unions would be taken before fixing freight and other rates.

Captain Amarinder allayed their fears that big truck operators from other states would take over the business and said all possible safeguards would be incorporated in the new industrial policy being drafted by the department. The new policy, he said, would address the apprehensions of the truckers and other stakeholders.

The government would ensure that no small truck owner is harmed or loses money as a result of the policy change, said the chief minister, while categorically rejecting a demand for withdrawing the decision to ban truck unions in the state. Because of the unions industries had been scared of coming to Punjab, said the chief minister, adding that his government was committed to promoting the state’s industrial development.

The chief minister said all complaints of the truckers would be addressed by the SDMs but said there could be no rollback on the decision to abolish the unions as it was in line with several judicial verdicts.

Earlier, talking to mediapersons after casting his votes for the presidential elections, the Chief Minister said the government had taken the decision to ban the unions conscientiously in order to save the industry, transportation of food grains and, above all, to strengthen Punjab’s economy. 

The government did not take any arbitrary decision and there were three judgments of High Court asking the State Government to take tangible steps for breaking the truck unions’ monopoly in the larger good of the society, he added.