Kerala - Kochi   

Steps taken to counter strike

Staff Reporter

Seizes tanker lorries, private buses; steps taken to ensure supply of provisions Tankers, private buses seized; steps taken to ensure supply of commodities

DIFFERENT SOLUTION: With private buses keeping off the road, women commuters hitchhike on a goods carriage in the city on Thursday. - PTI Photo

KOCHI: The district administration has taken steps to counter the agitation by bus and lorry operators. On Thursday, it started to seize heavy vehicles participating in the strike and cancelled the permits of at least 100 private buses.

Special squads of the Motor Vehicle Department led by M.A. Rosamma, Deputy Transport Commissioner, seized 98 tanker lorries from different parts of the district.

"The supply of aviation fuel for Cochin International Airport Limited, Nedumbassery, has been ensured, so is the supply of diesel for the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation and furnace oil for diesel power plants. The movement of petrol and diesel for fuel pumps was resumed partially by 11 a.m. The movement of fuel will be back to normality by Friday morning," said Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish.

"Steps have been taken to send fuel to neighbouring districts. Tanker lorries are given police escort from the district border onwards. Drivers from the KSRTC are being employed to seize tanker lorries," he said.

The district administration got a shot in the arm when the employees of private buses came forward to operate the seized buses.

"The joint committee of trade unions representing employees has decided not to participate in the strike. We will operate the buses if they are given to us," said Joy Joseph, general secretary, Private Bus Thozhilali Federation (AITUC). The union operated four such services in the city on Thursday.

However, representatives of bus operators said they would continue with the strike. "We will go ahead with the strike with support from owners of all vehicles," said M.B. Satyan, general secretary, Ernakulam District Private Bus Operators' Association.

It would not stop the seized buses from being operated. "We are ready to hand over the buses if given proper receipts. But these vehicles should be returned in the same condition as they are taken away," he said.

Mr. Hanish said the district administration had taken steps to ensure that there was no shortage of provisions and vegetables due to the strike. Around 450 trucks carrying vegetables and provisions were sent to Ernakulam.

"The District Supply Officer has been asked to check any attempts to hoard material. Licences of merchants indulging in hoarding will be suspended immediately," said Mr. Hanish.

Control rooms opened

He said round-the-clock control rooms were opened at the District Supply Office, taluk supply offices and city rationing offices. The public should contact any of these control rooms on finding difficulties in movement of commodities.

The numbers to control rooms are: District Supply Office - 2422251, Ernakulam City Rationing Office - 2390809, Kochi City Rationing Office - 2222002, Kanayannur Taluk - 2777598, Kochi - 2224191, Aluva - 2623416, North Paravoor - 2442318, Kunnathunadu - 2523144, Kothamangalam - 2822274 and Muvattupuzha - 2814956.

The district administration expects to run at least 100 buses on Friday.

If the Essential Services and Maintenance Act is promulgated, the administration will take up arrest warrants against bus and lorry owners.

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