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The two month long log-jam between two truckers unions in Khrew has halted the cement production in four units in the area. According to sources, the units TCI MAX Cements, Cemtac Cements, Arco Cements and Itifaq Cements are posting a total loss of 2500 to 3000 metric tonnes on daily basis.

All the four units and members of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) had asked the chamber to intervene and end the impasse. 

The chamber, union heads, representatives of all the units, Regional Transport Officer and DC Pulwama had met the Divisional Commissioner Asgar Samoon in this regard.

 “The tiff is between two truckers’ unions. One is Zaffron Truckers Union and another is Al Khudam Tipper-Truckers’ Union.  Zaffron has 900 registered trucks and when Al Khudam came into being they had 190 trucks. This is when the problem started over the issuance of duty slips, “said Mushtaq Wani, President KCC&I.

Wani said that the chamber doesn’t have a problem with another union however slips have to be issued according to the number of trucks both unions have.  

“If they want to make another union, it’s OK. They will issues duty slips according to their number that is 190 and the other union which has 900 will go accordingly. But the Zaffron union says that they are an old union and they won’t allow another union. So since then the issue is pending and both the truckers and the cement units are suffering,” added Wani.

In the meeting with Samoon, it was decided that both unions will not issue duty slips till their differences were not sorted. 

A three-member committee will do the same. 

“So the affected units, TCI MAX cement, Cemtec Cements, Arco Cements and Ittifaq Cements, asked the KCC&I to intervene.  We met Div Com, RTO and Deputy Commissioner Pulwama. The unions were also present there. Div Com took a decision wherein it was decided that by the time the issue is resolved, there will be no union and instead a three member committee comprising of ARTO Pulwama, Tehslidar and one district officer would issue the duty slips,” said Wani.  “He told them that the cement units are closed and there is shortage of cements. He also told the conflicting parties that they are suffering too. He assured them that whatever decision is taken would be implemented,” informed Wani.

The unions agreed to it on face of it but the impasse still continues. 

“They agreed to this temporary solution at that time but on ground they are still against each other. They are suffering, the units are suffering,” said Wani.

A top official of one of units said that even after Samoon’s order the truckers are adamant. 

“They have to create a cordial atmosphere. KCC&I intervened and we all had a meeting with the Divisional Commissioner. We reached a compromise but they are still fighting. We are posting a 50 percent production loss due to their differences,” he said.

Another official who also requested anonymity said that on a daily basis the units are facing a loss of 2500 to 3000 metric tonns cement production. 

“This is an estimate. It might be more. They should sit in a cordial environment and iron out their differences. If they continue like this, it would be very detrimental for business.”

The President of Al Khudam Truckers’ Union Mohammad Maqbool Lone said that they are ready to accept the Divisional Commissioner’s order.

“But it’s the Zaffron union who are not ready for that. They are goons. They are not ready for anything. We are ready to work on the plan of the Div Com and we are at the losing end in that too. We only get a 20% share in that plan. But they are not moving forward,”alleged Lone.

He also said that Zaffron members have turned to hooliganism and alleged that they roughed up people belonging to their group.

 “They beat up our members and even some women of our area. We went to the Divisional Commissioner again and narrated our tale. He assured us of an action. But here on the ground, police, the Tehsildar are all mute spectators. They are also not forcing the Zaffron members to accept the orders of the Divisional Commissioner, “alleged Lone.  

Despite repeated attempts the President of the Zaffron Truckers Association didn’t respond to our calls.

Source: risingkashmir