Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Meghalaya Govt Lacks Power to Set Inter-State Freight Rates, Says Official
Truck drivers in Meghalaya are striking because they want the same fair prices for moving goods between states as they get for moving goods within Meghalaya.
However, a government official explained that the state government doesn't have the power to set prices for moving goods between states.
That's because of a law called the Motor Vehicles Act.
The official said that prices for moving goods between states are decided by the market, how far the goods are going, and what the people sending and moving the goods agree on.
The government has set prices for moving goods only within Meghalaya, and cement companies are already using those prices.
Some other trucking groups and cement companies do not support the strike, but the main truck drivers' group is still blocking roads.
Police are working to clear the roads.
East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner states Meghalaya Govt lacks legal jurisdiction to impose inter-State freight rates.
The demand by the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners’ and Drivers’ Association (MCTODA) for inter-State rates to match intra-State rates is deemed illegal under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Inter-State freight rates are determined by market conditions, distance, and mutual agreement, not by state government notification.
While MCTODA continues its strike and obstructs traffic, other truck associations have confirmed they do not support the strike and are operating normally.
District administration has initiated dialogue, but MCTODA skipped the meeting, leading police to take lawful measures to clear blockades and restore traffic.
- Who
- East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Shivansh Awasthi, Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners’ and Drivers’ Association (MCTODA), Jaintia Hills Cement Manufacturers Association, Jaintia Hills Truck Owners’ Association, East Jaintia Hills Truck Owners and Transporters Association.
- What
- Clarification by the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner that the Meghalaya Government cannot legally set inter-State freight rates, in response to demands by the agitating MCTODA.
- When
- November 8
- Where
- East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya
- Why
- The MCTODA is demanding that the government-notified intra-State freight rates be applied to inter-State transportation, a move officials state is illegal and beyond the state's jurisdiction.
Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners’ and Drivers’ Association (MCTODA)
East Jaintia Hills District Administration
Freight Rate Authority
Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners’ and Drivers’ Association (MCTODA)
Demands the Meghalaya Government impose notified rates on inter-State transportation.
East Jaintia Hills District Administration
States that the State Government has no legal jurisdiction to impose inter-State freight rates, which are determined by market conditions, distance, and mutual agreement.
Strike Support
Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners’ and Drivers’ Association (MCTODA)
Refused to withdraw the strike and continued to obstruct traffic.
East Jaintia Hills District Administration
Notes that other truck owner associations (JHTOA and EJHTOTA) do not support the strike and are operating normally.
- Inter-State Freight Rate Authority
- East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner states Meghalaya Govt lacks legal jurisdiction.
- Intra-State Rates
- Notified and implemented by cement plants in East Jaintia Hills.
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
- Prohibits state governments from notifying inter-State transportation rates.
- Inter-State Rate Determination
- Prevailing market conditions, distance, and mutual agreement.
- Strike Participants
- MCTODA (ongoing strike); Jaintia Hills Cement Manufacturers Association, Jaintia Hills Truck Owners’ Association, East Jaintia Hills Truck Owners and Transporters Association (attended dialogue, do not support strike).
- Lawful Measures Taken
- District police clearing blockades and restoring traffic.
