Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Steps to ensure essential goods

Staff Reporter

Bus owners in city withdraw from stir

Thiruvananthapuram: The administration has taken steps to ensure the availability of essential commodities, vegetables, diesel, petrol and LPG in the capital city in view of the indefinite State-wide strike by private bus and lorry operators.

District Collector N. Ayyappan, who is also the District Magistrate, has issued orders to this effect. Vehicles for transporting essential commodities will be made available by the respective Regional Transport Officers (RTOs). The police have been asked to provide adequate protection to vehicles transporting essential commodities. Eighty-one vehicles with essential commodities entered Amaravila check-post till Thursday afternoon.

Mr. Ayyappan said the KSRTC has been asked to operate more services on busy routes to reduce the hardship of commuters in the district. Vehicles will be made available on demand under the Requisition and Acquisition of Property Act.

The Taluk Supply Officer and the City Rationing Officer have been asked to monitor the open market. They have been asked to ensure the availability of essential commodities and file report on the price index daily by 4 p.m.

A 24-hour control room has been opened by the administration in the District Supply Office. The telephone numbers of the control room are 2460866, 9447344304, 9895309317 and 9446550260. The District Supply Officer has been entrusted with the coordination of the control room.

Mr. Ayyappan said the district administration has impounded 24 tanker lorries. Of them, six are being used for transporting petroleum products.

Twelve LPG trucks with LPG have reached the city. Nineteen tanker lorry operators have informed the administration that they are ready to resume service.

The Thiruvananthapuram Bus Owners Association has informed the district administration in writing that it is withdrawing from the strike in view of the "special situation" prevailing here.

A total of 105 private buses operate city services in the capital city and suburbs. The lorry owners in the district have also expressed their willingness to operate services, he said.

Adequate stock of ration materials is available in the district. The administration has taken steps to prevent hoarding. Stern action will be taken against those trying to create scarcity of essential commodities.

Mr. Ayyappan said the Regional Manager, Civil Supplies, Thiruvananthapuram, has been given permission to bring vegetables in vehicles.

KSRTC buses are operating regular services in the district. Diesel has been made available to KSRTC depots at Thiruvananthapuram Central, Poovar and Parasala from Indian Oil Corporation's Veli depot under police protection.

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