Tough days are ahead for both the industries and the people, with no solution in sight to prevent the proposed truckers’ stir by the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association. Another meeting between the Federation representatives and the principal secretary (Home), Govt of Karnataka, Ms Vatsala Vatsa on Wednesday failed to break the impasse over the speed governors’ issue.
The government asked the truckers federations to withdraw the stir call as the court had given time up to June 30, 2008 to fit speed governors, but the Federation remained adamant on its stand.
G R Shanmugappa, the Federation president, said: “We explained our position to the government. The High Court could have been given a clear picture by the government on the difficulties faced by truckers in implementation of speed governors. This was not done. We stand by our call to all truck federations who have agreed to stop plying their vehicles from midnight of 22. We cannot withdraw the stir,” he said. The meet was also chaired by Police Commissioner N Achuta Rao, Principal Secretary (Transport) D Thangaraj and Transport Commissioner Lakshmi Narayana.
Industry to be hit
However, the State-wide indefinite truckers strike strike call given  by FKSLOAA from midnight of February 22 may affect the industry badly and could result in huge losses.
While the FKSLOAA has exempted movement of essential commodities such as fuel, milk, fruits and vegetables, movement of other goods/cargo will be hit.
S S Patil, FKCCI president, said the strike will hit the industry badly as movement of goods will come to a halt.
“Movement of materials such as steel, iron, fabrics and construction materials will be affected. It being a strike supported by federations from all over South, industry will suffer to the tune of crores.”
B V Narayanappa, Secretary of FKSLOAA, said the stir will affect the economy of the State as trucks will stop transporting goods for every major sector of the industry.
K T Rajashekhar of Employee Transportation Forum said the taxi unions ferrying employees to software firms, IT and BPO companies would meet on February 21 to decide on participation in the strike.
HC dismisses plea
Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition requesting the court to keep the maxicabs outside the purview of the vehicles which should adopt speed governors.
South Canara and Udupi District Taxi and Maxicabs Association had challenged all the notification issued by the government making installing speed governors compulsory.
The norms make installation of speed governors mandatory for all vehicles. Hence, the question of keeping the maxicabs outside the purview of the rule does not arise, noted a bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph.