BANGALORE: The Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Associations has decided to request the State Government to relax the restrictions on overloading of trucks for a few commodities.

The federation convened a meeting here on Saturday to educate transporters on the Supreme Court ruling on overloading of vehicles.

Addressing the meeting, G.R. Shanmugappa, president of the federation, said, "We are making certain pleas to the Government to slightly amend sections 113 and 114 of the Motor Vehicle Act to facilitate consignments such as agricultural produce, fish, sand and bitumen." A proposal would be submitted to the Traffic Commissioner and the Chief Minister in this regard, he said.

Sections 113 and 114 of the Motor Vehicle Act empower government authorities to prevent overloading and to offload goods from overloaded vehicles so that they adhere to the permitted laden weight for that class of vehicle.

Federation general secretary B.V. Narayanappa said, "Agricultural produce may be exempted from the Act, considering the lack of proper weighing facility in rural areas and the probable loss that may be caused to farmers."

He said the exemption could also be extended to fish consignments and sand and bitumen loads because excess weight could be due to moisture, ice and various other factors.

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