Taxis and maxicabs to join truckers' strike in state

Truckers on Tuesday threatened to block highways and halt operation of taxis, maxicabs, corporate taxis and other commercial vehicles if the government fails to fulfil their demands within a day.

Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners and Agents Associations (FKLOAA) president G R Shanmugappa, however, said supply of essential commodities -- vegetables, medicines, water, milk -- won’t be affected but the strike by LPG tankers associations will continue. The petrol and diesel transporters are yet to take a call on joining the strike, he said.

Truckers in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry began their strike on April 1. Tuesday’s development came after a meeting called by Transport  Department officials failed to arrive at any amicable solution.

“Private vehicles with tourist permits include buses that carry students. They were allowed to ply as we don’t want to disrupt SSLC exams. As the government has failed to address the demands, the associations will hold a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and decide their scale of protest,” another leader said.

Though the striking truckers are targeting the Centre seeking the rollback of hike in insurance fee, local associations that joined the stir are urging the state government to consider their demands related to collection of toll on state highways and reciprocal agreement between states to reduce tolls.

Bangalore Tourist Taxi Operators’ Association president Radhakrishna Holla said corporate operators will also join the strike. “Some associations of drivers associated with Ola and Uber have also agreed to support the cause,” he said.

Welcoming the state government’s move to reduce fee for fitness certificate, registration and other fees, he said the strike was primarily aimed at the Centre over the insurance fee hike.

Federation of Private Bus Owners’ president B Narayanappa said they will make sure that schoolchildren dependent on private buses will not suffer due to the strike.
DH News Service