"If the situation becomes tense and impossible we will certainly invoke ESMA. But as of now, the situation does not necessitate such a measure as supply of essential items is being maintained throughout the country," Ashoke Joshi, secretary, Road Transport and Highways told reporters.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said the Government had no proposal to rollback hike in diesel prices even as heavy trucks all over the country stayed off roads in response to an indefinite strike called by apex transport body, All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) in protest against the recent 35 per cent hike.

While AIMTC claimed that the strike was "100 per cent successful", the Government said the impact was "partial" with supply of essential goods being maintained.

Talks between transportersand the Government, which ended in a stalemate on October 20, have not resumed. AIMTC secretary general J M Saksena said the Government had not so far invited the body for talks.

However, Joshi maintained that the Government was ready for a dialogue any time but ruled out rollback of diesel price hike. "We are ready to sort out transporters genuine problems, including helping them to pass on the increased cost to the consumers," Joshi said.

The Government said essential commodities were available throughout the country and attributed the rise in prices of vegetables to panic buying. "Prices of essential commodities have gone up marginally due to anxiety of people because of the continuing strike. Supply of essential items will be maintained at all costs", Joshi said.

The Government was ready with a contingency plan that includes movement of essential items through railways and light commercial vehicles, he said.

AIMTC claimed the truck operators were determined to take the strike to its logicalconclusion and would continue the agitation till the Government rolled back the diesel prices to pre-October 5 levels.

Official sources said the strike did not have any major impact in West Bengal and Punjab but Haryana has been partially hit. However, the strike was complete in Tamil nadu and towns of Madhya Pradesh including Indore, Jabalpur and Raipur.

Reports from Gujarat said that while the strike was complete, movement of trucks carrying essential commodities like vegetables and cooking gas was exempted.

States like Kerala and Andhra Pradesh have drawn up plans to meet the situation. Kerala has decided to use vehicles at the disposal of the State Government for movement of essentials within the State. Andhra Pradesh had already pressed into service state transport buses to move goods.