Concerned over the spiraling hike in petrol and diesel prices, Ranchi Goods Transporters Association (RGTA) after a meeting on Thursday decided to increase their freight charges from next week by about 30 per cent, which is likely to have ripple effects on the prices of essentials and other items.
Sunil Chauhan, spokesperson of the association said that they were forced to go for increase in freight charges due to the uncontrolled rise in fuel prices in recent months.
“Final rate charts will be issued soon but in-principle, we have decided to go for a 30 per cent hike from next Monday to sustain businesses. The entire 2020 remained damp squib for the business due to lockdown related restrictions. Even though essentials were kept out of the ambit of lockdown, with other markets closed for several months, good transportation has been badly hit. The ongoing fuel hikes are only making matters worse for us,” he said.
The Ranchi Goods Transporters Association represents over 3,000 transporting firms that are operational in Ranchi, Lohardaga, Ramgarh, Hazaribag and adjoining districts.
Currently, petrol and diesel prices in Ranchi are Rs 87.55 and Rs 84.87 respectively per litre. Of the total rate, the state government imposes Rs 17 VAT on petrol and Rs 12 on diesel.
President of the outfit, S B Singh said that the rate with which fuel prices are going up, they fear that many transporters with low capital will have to ground their fleet of vehicles. He urged the state government to consider extending relief.
“In some places, petrol has already touched Rs 100 while diesel too may follow suit soon. In Jharkhand, prices of petrol and diesel are inching close to Rs 90. It is high time that the state government chips in to provide some relief to lessen the burden,” Singh appealed.
Bus operators too are equally concerned for the tentative hike in the fares for long distance routes.
“Fare hike is imminent sooner or later unless prices come down at satisfactory levels. After the covid-19 lockdown, we didn’t hike fares to make up for the losses despite running on half the capacity in view of Covid safety guidelines from the state government and in the interest of the public. However, we can’t do it for a long time at our own losses,” remarked a bus operator between the Ranchi-Tata route.
