Transporters' strike today, supply may be affected

Commuters and supply of perishable goods like vegetables and meat may be affected badly from Sunday as commercial goods vehicles,  tourist vehicles and taxis will stay off the road across the State for an indefinite period from Saturday night in support of sand transporters.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Radhakrishna Holla, general secretary, Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners Association, said they would support the cause of the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association and other organisations, which have called for the indefinite bandh.

“We are supporting the bandh called by sand transporters. But we too have some demands. “If our demands are met by the government, we will withdraw it,” he said. 

The union was demanding withdrawal of a minimum qualification of 8th pass for issue of licence and a decent and reasonable entry tax for vehicles entering the State. 

“The entry fees is very high. It is as high as Rs 2,750 per seat. It has come to effect from December 1. Other states are now planning to emulate it. If this happens, we will lose business badly,”said Holla.

Nearly six lakh commercial vehicles including tourist vehicles, vans, gas tankers, petrol and diesel tankers and vehicles attached with info-tech and bio-tech firms will not operate from Saturday midnight.