Transport strike from tonight

Transport strike from tonight

Staff Reporter

It will disrupt supply of essential commodities

Transport officials accused of going back on their word

Strike is against rule on speed governors

BANGALORE: Transporters have decided to go on indefinite State-wide strike from Sunday midnight in protest against the mandatory installation of speed governors stating that the Transport Department officials did not keep their word. The strike, if it continues indefinitely, may affect supply of essential commodities.

The decision was taken at a meeting of various transporters’ associations called by the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners’ and Agents’ Associations here on Saturday.

With this, thousands of trucks, maxi cabs, all kinds of private buses, goods tempos and tourist taxis will be off the road indefinitely from Sunday midnight.

As on October 2007, more than four lakh transport vehicles were registered in the State, which need to comply with the rule.
FC refused

Federation president G.R. Shanmugappa and secretary B.V. Naranappa in a press release here, said the officials had orally agreed to issue fitness certificates to commercial vehicles after taking an undertaking from the owner that he would install the gadget once it was available in the market. Following this, the federation announced on Thursday that the strike was called off.

Transport Commissioner M. Lakshminarayana too had told The Hindu that the department would be sensitive to operational difficulties faced by vehicle owners while implementing the role.

According to Mr. Shanmugappa, the department failed to keep its oral promise and began insisting on enforcement of the rule by Friday morning and refused to issue fitness certificates to vehicles.

“There is no other way but to go on strike against the discriminatory rule, as the same is not applicable in any other State, ” he told The Hindu.

Mr. Shanmugappa said transporters from neighbouring States too promised to extend support by not operating their vehicles in Karnataka.

Akhila Karnataka Maxi Cab and Motor Cab Owners’ Welfare Association president K. Siddaramaiah told The Hindu that even drivers of transport vehicles had agreed to participate in the strike, although it would affect their livelihood. Manufacturers had fixed exorbitant price (Rs. 15,000 onwards) for the gadget, whose actual cost was not more than Rs. 3,000. On Thursday, the representatives of the Federation and other associations held a meeting with Transport Department officials in the presence of Governor’s Advisor P.K.H. Tharakan.

The officials had reportedly assured the transporters that they would be receptive to operational problems of installing speed governors. Principal Secretary to Government (Transport) D. Thangaraj had said that the Government had written to the Union Government to increase the present maximum speed limit of 65 kmph to 85 kmph keeping in view the improved efficiency of the new brands of vehicles and the need for speedy transportation of commodities.

The Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners’ Association has extended its support to the truckers’ strike. The association too will join the strike from Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Employee Transportation Forum, which covers BPOs, call centres and other industries, has decided not to participate in the strike.