BENGALURU: The Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners’ and Agents’ Association announced an indefinite strike starting Monday night to protest a fuel price increase, disregarding an appeal from Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.
Association President GP Shanmugappa stated that thousands of trucks, including those coming from neighboring states, will remain off the roads. The strike, declared on April 4, demands a reversal of the diesel price hike caused by an increase in state sales tax, as well as protests against toll charges on state highways, among other grievances. Shanmugappa mentioned that only trucks carrying essential perishables, such as milk, would be exempted.
In a contrasting move, another association opted out of the strike. Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners’ Association honorary president Channa Reddy remarked that they were not consulted by the striking group. Meanwhile, Minister Ramalinga Reddy revealed that he had engaged in discussions with the leaders of the Federation. He observed that while truckers had remained silent over several increases in fuel prices imposed by the Centre over the past decade, they are now striking over a relatively modest state-level increase.
He noted that in 2015 diesel was priced at Rs 49.54 per litre, whereas it now stands at Rs 91.05 per litre. “Under Manmohan Singh, crude oil was $140 per barrel and diesel was Rs 41.29 per litre. Under Modi, even though crude dropped to $60, diesel has increased to Rs 91 per litre. Truckers did not protest when the Centre raised fuel costs, but they are striking over a mere Rs 2 increase by the state,” he explained.
Highlighting that diesel in Karnataka is the cheapest in South India, excluding Puducherry, he urged that, in the public interest, the strike should be called off.
