Question : INCREASE IN FREIGHT RATES BY AIMTC

(a) whether All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has asked its members to increase freight rates by 15 per cent after recent hike in diesel price;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Competition Commission has ordered an investigation in this regard and slapped any penalty on AIMTC for its arbitrary decision;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has taken any action to protect the interest of the common man and if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI SARVEY SATHYANARAYANA)

(a) to (d) As per available information, an information has been filed in the Competition Commission of India (CCI) under Section 19 of Competition Act against All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) wherein it has been alleged that AIMTC has uniformly increased the freight rates which is collusive practice. The matter is being examined by Competition Commission of India.

(e) As per section 67 of ‘The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988’, the State Governments may fix the freight charges in respect of goods carriages. However, goods transportation through roads is predominantly in the private

sector and freight charges are governed by market forces. Further steps can be contemplated after decision of Competition Commission of India.