The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Plea to Governor

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Saturday, Feb 23, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Plea to Governor

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Commercial vehicle operators on Friday urged Governor Rameshwar Thakur to direct the State Government to admit before the court that it did not provide information on the practical problems of installing speed governors in commercial vehicles in the State, so that the court could remedy the inconvenience caused to them.

The demand was made by the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association and Bangalore Tourist Taxi Operators’ Association here.

Speaking to reporters, federation president G.R. Shanmugappa clarified that the owners of trucks, omnibuses, stage carriages, cars and other vehicles were not going on strike, but were unable to implement the order because of practical problems.

They were not against the order of the High Court of Karnataka, either, he said. He said that owners of 12 lakh inter-state vehicles had expressed their inability to enter Karnataka as speed governors were not mandatory in their home States, while the rule is mandatory in Karnataka.

He said that there were seven companies, including three recognised by the government, which could manufacture only 5,000 gadgets a year. While the cost of a speed governor was Rs. 3,000 in New Delhi, it costs Rs.16,000 in Karnataka, he alleged. He said the vehicle owners were ready to abide by the court order, provided it was applicable throughout the country.

Bangalore Tourist Taxi Operators’ Association President K.S. Thantry said installation of speed governors in luxury cars which have six gears, was nearly impossible for technical reasons.

Both the leaders said that the owners were at a loss to understand the rationale behind allowing mopeds to travel at a speed of 60 km per hour on expressways and highways, but not the cars, used by the general public and tourists.

They demanded that the Governor arrange to inform the court about the constitution of a special committee under the chairmanship of K.N. Nehru by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to go into the issue of speed governors in vehicles across the country.

They alleged that neither the State Government furnished this information to the court nor allowed the operators to inform the same, resulting in the present impasse.

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