The Hindu : Front Page : Talks fail, lorry operators to continue strike

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Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008
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Talks fail, lorry operators to continue strike

Special Correspondent

Many schools remained closed as vans join in agitation

— Photo: K. Gopinathan

ALWAYS RELIABLE: A bullock cart being used to transport commodities at the AMPC Yard in Bangalore on Monday after truckers went on a strike.

BANGALORE: Lorry operators, with support from owners of maxi-cabs, luxury taxis, and private buses, commenced an indefinite strike on Monday across the State demanding that the mandatory rule over the installation of speed governors be scrapped.

Top government officials held two rounds of discussions with the representatives of the lorry owners’ federation, maxi-cabs association, taxis association and others. However, there was no solution in sight to the vexed issue. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court is expected to hear the matter on Tuesday and any decision reportedly hinges on the court’s observations.

The rule notified by the State Government in June last is under implementation from January 1 for both new motor vehicles and those seeking the annual fitness certification from the regional transport offices. Karnataka is the only State where the speed governor rule is under implementation while Kerala, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh were also in the process of bringing forth a similar rule as suggested by the Union Government.

The impact of the strike is, however, yet to hit day-to-day life as markets are stocked with fruits and vegetables. Lorry operators have exempted vehicles carrying essential goods such as milk from the strike.

Most petroleum tankers were, however, off the road. Many private school vans suspended operations resulting in many schools declaring a holiday while attendance at most of the information technology and business process outsourcing companies was hit. Sources in the Government told The Hindu that the top brass of the Transport Department is now looking for what to offer to the striking lorry operators.

On one side is an interim direction of the Karnataka High Court based on a public interest litigation petition relating to the fitment of speed governors and on the other is the tough posture adopted by the transporters.

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