BANGALORE: Over two lakh lorry owners of Karnataka have decided to support the "All India Chakka Jam" (nationwide strike) called by the All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners' Associations (ACOGOA) from June 1, if their demands are not addressed by the Union and State governments.

Confederation president B. Channa Reddy told presspersons here on Wednesday that a decision to this effect had been taken at the convention of goods carriage owners at Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh recently. "Over four million goods carriages and trucks across the country, including two lakh from Karnataka, will go off the road from the midnight of May 31" he said.

Insurance premium

Pointing out that the rationalisation of third party insurance premium by the insurance companies is one of the main demand putforth by the confederation, Mr. Reddy, who heads the Karnataka union, said the high-handedness of the insurance companies in the matter of mandatory third party motor insurance is causing problems to lorry owners. "The insurance companies are defying the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority's (IRDA) directions by charging excess premium amount from the owners. Even those who have not claimed any insurance in the past are being asked to pay double the stipulated premium. The Government should intervene and direct the insurance companies to change this recalcitrant attitude," Mr Reddy explained.

Other demands

The confederation has demanded that the Government should direct all insurance companies to issue third party motor insurance policy compulsorily to all truck and bus operators. "Unlike in the past, wherein the lives of the driver, helper and four coolies were getting insured both in comprehensive and act liability policies, the new policies only insure the life of the driver and do not cover the helper and coolies," he said. Protesting against the levy of double tax (mechanical tax) on inter-State commercial vehicles by States like Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal, the confederation has resolved to serve notices to these governments to withdraw the levy before May 31.

"Otherwise, to begin with, vehicles of other States will stop going to or passing through Orissa from June 1 because the tax collection originated from this State," he said. "This apart, all goods carriages should be exempted from paying toll on highways. Instead, `consignment tax,' which can be collected along with the freight charges, can be levied," Mr. Reddy said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail