Millions of Truckers in India Begin Strike

印卡车司机示威抗议油价暴涨

　

In India, millions of trucks have gone off the roads to protest rising operating costs triggered by higher fuel prices and rising taxes. High oil prices are hurting India's economy.

　

数百万印度卡车驶离公路抗议由于高油价和增长的税收导致的运营成本增加。高油价正伤及到印度的经济。

Nearly five million trucks stopped throughout India. Truckers say the rising cost of diesel and taxes levied by the government are wiping out profits.

　

将近五百万辆卡车在印度全国各地停止行驶，抗议高昂的柴油价格和政府税收。罢工的印度卡车司机们抱怨说，高油价和高税收使他们无利可图。

India has hiked petrol and diesel prices twice this year by about 17 percent, following the spiraling cost of crude oil in the international market.

　

由于国际市场上的石油价格不断暴涨，印度今年先后两次提高汽油和柴油价格，迄今为止，印度的燃油价格上升了大约17%。

Truckers want the government to reduce other taxes levied on them to compensate for the rising cost of diesel. For example, they are asking for a repeal of a hike in tolls gathered on highways.

　

卡车司机要求政府减少税收，特别是取消高速公路的通行费。

A consultant to the All India Motor transport Congress, Pradeep Singhal, says it is becoming unviable to run trucks.

　

全印汽车运输大会的顾问普拉蒂普·辛哈说，卡车运输的成本越来越高，司机们已经感到走投无路了。

"The toll tax is increasing day by day and there is no mechanism to check how the toll tax is levied," he said. "There are many taxes which are levied in the name of development and road maintenance, so there is no need for raising the tax or levying new taxes."

　

“高速公路收取的通行费天天都在上涨，而且没有任何机制来检查这些通行费到底是怎么征收的。很多税费都是以公路保养和发展的名义征收的，所以根本没有必要提高税收和征收新税。”

Transportation minister T.R. Baalu says there is not much leeway to reduce taxes. He says the increase in tolls and taxes is needed to fund road construction and maintenance.

　

然而印度交通部长巴鲁说，减少税收的空间不大。他表示，只有增加高速公路的通行费和其他税收才能筹到所需的资金来进行公路建设和公路保养。

The government has appealed to the truckers to call off the strike, but the truckers have vowed to stay off the roads till their demands are met.

　

印度政府呼吁卡车司机们放弃罢工，但是卡车司机们表示，除非他们的要求得到满足，否则的话，他们是不会复工上路的。

One round of talks with the government has failed, but more talks have been planned.

　

卡车司机跟政府的第一轮谈判以失败告终，不过他们计划举行更多的会谈。

Trucks are a lifeline for India's economy, hauling nearly 70 percent of goods transported across the country. There are fears that a prolonged strike could lead to shortages and increase inflation, which is running at a 13-year-high of more than 11 percent.

　

卡车运输可以说是印度的经济命脉，因为印度全国各地大约70%的货物都是靠卡车运送的。人们担心，卡车司机的罢工如果持续下去，势必导致供应短缺和通胀恶化。印度目前的通货膨胀率超过11%，达到13年来的最高水平。

India has been hit hard by surging oil prices because it imports more than two thirds of its fuel requirements, and analysts say the high economic growth the country has witnessed in recent years could slow.

　

石油价格暴涨给对印度的冲击非常大，因为印度三分之二以上的燃料依赖进口。分析人士指出，油价居高不下将使印度经济最近几年的高速增长开始走缓。