Kodagu Vaahana Chalakara mathu Malikara Sangha said that the association members will gherao RTO office, against the decision of the transport department to initiate action against the vehicle owners who were engaged in transporting labourers to the coffee estates in the district.
Addressing a press meet, Association President M A Usman said there are 4,000 private vehicles in the district with 16,000 to 20,000 drivers. Around 40,000 labourers are dependent on these vehicles.
The district is facing acute shortage of labourers to work in coffee estates and paddy fields. Several unemployed youth are engaged in transporting the labourers to estates, after purchasing vehicles on loan.
The transport officials have been slapping a fine of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 for transporting the labourers. The Association has flayed the act of the transport department.
Published 04 July 2012, 18:35 IST