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Speaking to reporters, he said the Government has held several rounds of talks with the representatives of Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners and Agents Association (FKSLOAA) on their demands and has co-operated with them.
He also described the strike as “blackmail tactics” and said the officials have been taking action against those lorries which were overloading and committing other offences. “The Association wants the Government to permit sand mining in places where the underground water table has depleted. The Government has banned sand mining in these places in the interest of environment. They have to mine only in the notified area. We will not budge from our stand,” he stated.
Strike continues
The sand transporters continued their indefinite strike on the second day even after Transport Commissioner Bhaskar Rao invited representatives from the FKSLOAA for talks on Wednesday, to break the deadlock.
Over 32,000 lorries, used for transportation of sand, gravel and other construction materials across the State went off the roads from Monday night.
The FKSLOAA is protesting against the State government for not issuing permits and alleged harassment by officials.
The Hich Court has issued a stay order on issue of permits following a PIL on sand mining. “We will give the State government 10 days time to resolve the issue, failing which we will not allow any trucks to enter the State, from other parts of the country,” said G R Shanmugappa, president of the FKSLOAA and All India Motor Transport Congress, New Delhi.