JOIN USAbout 500 local lorry associations will join the ongoing truckers’ strike on Monday, severely hampering the supply of essential commodities in the city.
Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, president of Bangalore Wholesale Food Grains and Merchants Association, said they received a letter from the local truckers associations, stating that they too will join the agitating truckers from Monday. Though there is some supply available with the retailers, the problem will intensify after two to three days, he said.
“Many will start purchasing their monthly kitchen supplies only after they get their salaries on Monday. The agitation of truckers, in such a scenario, will affect the common man,” Lahoti said.
The wholesalers have spoken to the suppliers from Kalaburagi, Bidar and Chennai, who have confirmed that they have stopped supplies from Saturday. The local truckers supply food grains, pulses, oil, sugar, chillies, tamarind and other items locally to markets and city outskirts from the yard. Vegetables come directly from the farmer to the market at night.
Though there is stock in the yard for around 10 days and with retailers for three days, the problem will aggravate if the strike continues for two to three days. This will also lead to a steep increase in the prices of essential items, some wholesalers said.
Horticultural Producers Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society Limited (Hopcoms) managing director B Krishna said that they have made arrangements over the last two days to ensure that there is no shortage of supply of fruits and vegetables to its outlets. “But it is likely that there would be a problem from the third day. So, we are requesting them to make arrangements to ensure that the supply of fruits and vegetables continues,” he said.
Though the truckers have assured that the supply of essential items like fruits, vegetables, milk and medicines will not be affected, those in the market are skeptical.
LPG tankers to join stir
Truckers are likely to intensify their strike with LPG tankers associations deciding to join the stir, while petroleum products transporters will take a call on the matter on Monday, reports DHNS from Bengaluru. General secretary of South Zone Motor Transporters’ Welfare Association G R Shanmugappa said about 24 lakh vehicles have come to a standstill in the southern states, including Karnataka.
“Truckers have suffered losses up to Rs 2,000 crore in the last three days. The LPG tankers won’t ply from Sunday midnight. A decision on operating petrol and diesel tankers will be taken tomorrow (Monday),” he added.