Millions truckers in India strike over fuel prices
Updated
An estimated four million truckers have gone on strike in India to press for uniform diesel prices and protest against an increase in taxes.
The action was called after talks with the government failed late Tuesday.
Gurinder Pal Singh, of the All-India Motor Transport Congress, says it is hoped a solution will be found soon.
The truckers want the government to regulate the price of diesel, so they do not have to pay more for premium fuel, and to reduce toll tax.
The union says nearly four million trucks have joined the strike.
The transport ministry says the petroleum ministry has been asked to look into fuel availability and pricing.
The ministry says other demands of the truckers are also being looked into.
A traders' body says it expects prices of food and essential items to rise sharply if the strike continues for more than two days.
The strike comes as the federal government faces increasing pressure to curb prices, with inflation touching a 13-year high of more than 11 per cent.
Last month the government increased petrol and diesel prices for the second time this year to stem huge losses at state-run oil companies, stirring political opposition and street protests.
