SHILLONG, Nov 27: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar on Thursday announced that cement manufacturers have agreed to allocate 120 trucks per day for local transporters, following negotiations with transporter associations from Jaintia Hills.
Under the agreement, 100 trucks will begin operations from Thursday, while the remaining 20 trucks will be operational from December 1.
The decision was taken during a meeting involving the Jaintia Hills Cement Manufacturers Association (JHCMA) and three major transporter bodies — the Jaintia Hills Truck Owners & Drivers Association, the East Jaintia Hills Truck Owners & Transporter Association, and the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners & Drivers Association. The associations had earlier demanded an increase in the daily quota from 80 to 120 trucks to ensure opportunities for local transporters.
“The cement manufacturers have agreed to 120 trucks as per the demand by the truck drivers and owners associations. Immediately 100 trucks will start from tomorrow, and another 20 from December 1,” Dhar told reporters after the meeting.
Rate Dispute Persists
On transportation rates involving inter-state movement, Dhar said the state government had received a legal opinion clarifying that it cannot regulate or notify rates for other states.
“Legally, it is not possible for the Meghalaya government to notify rates for other states,” he said, quoting the advice of the Advocate General.
He added that interstate rates will be market-driven, while the rate for intra-state transport remains fixed at ₹9 per metric tonne per km.
However, cement manufacturers argued that the ₹9 rate is uneconomical and could force an increase in cement prices. Dhar urged both sides to continue discussions.
“The cement manufacturers keep telling the transport associations that ₹9 is too high and requested them to reconsider. I think both parties may again sit for negotiation,” he stated.
Cement Price Concerns
Dhar also informed that he and Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong have discussed complaints over high cement prices in the state.
“A meeting will be convened with cement manufacturers to discuss cement prices,” he announced.
