Truckers call for indefinite lorry Strike from November 4
Synopsis
The lorry association has threatened to go on an indefinite strike from November 4. The state government has not cleared arrears of ₹ 180-crore for the last one year
Amid fears of an upcoming petrol strike, the Karnataka Truckers’ Association has threatened to go on an indefinite strike starting November 4.
Criticising the delay in making payments for transporting of grains from Food Corporation of India’s warehouse to government-sponsored Annabhagya centres, Students’ Hostel and Mid-day meal project units, the Federation of State Lorry Owners and Agents Associations has hit out against the Karnataka government.
The decision was announced by the federation president G R Shanmukhappa.
Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru, he said about 8,000 lorries and containers transport Rice, Millet (Ragi), Maize, Sugar and other such items to various districts across Karnataka.
The state government had not cleared arrears of ₹ 180-crore for the last one year. They also have not paid the transport fee properly.
Alleging that the state government was “eating” up the fee amount, R Shanmukhappa said: “ The Union government gives ₹75 as transport fee for every ton that is transported. But the state government gives us only ₹35 after deducting ₹40 from it.”
The lorry owners have been forced to shell out from their pockets for loading, unloading fee and road tax as well which is not fair, Shanmukhappa lamented.