Maharashtra invokes ESMA as truckers stir enters second day

Thu, Jul 3 09:00 PM

Mumbai, Jul 3 (PTI) Maharashtra government today invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to ensure that there was no disruption in supply of essential goods due to the transporters' nationwide strike. "Section Three of the Act, which deals with detaining the agitators, has been invoked so that essential commodities are not affected even if the strike continues for a few more days," Principal Secretary, Transport, Ramanath Jha said.

The decision to invoke the Act was taken at a meeting of core group of transport officials at Mantralaya (state secretariat), he said. On the second day of the nationwide stir in Maharashtra, there was a drop in incoming vehicles by 25 per cent compared to yesterday, Jha said.

The state produces enough essential commodities like vegetables, milk, foodgrains and medicine as a result of which there should not be any problem on this front, Jha said. However, supply of products such as eggs and chicken may be affected as a major chunk is imported from other states, the official said.

So far, no price rise has been observed in any essential items and petroleum products prices are also normal, Jha said. PTI.

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