PALAKKAD: The Kerala State Lorry Owners’ Federation has decided to join the indefinite strike by goods lorries called by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) from Friday to press their various demands.
However, the cargo trucks belonging to the state and Central Governments, Postal Department vehicles, oil and LNG tankers and vehicles ferrying life-saving oxygen have been exempted from the first phase of the strike, said M Nandakumar, the federation’s general secretary,
He said there are several issues confronting the sector and despite the truckers serving notice on the Centre, the authorities had failed to respond. This had forced the truckers’ hand.
Consequently, inter-state lorries operating from Kerala stopped loading goods on Friday and the federation’s district units have been asked to dissuade lorries bearing Kerala registration(KL) number from ferrying goods to the state from Friday, Nandakumar said. There are more than three lakh large and small goods vehicles operating in the state which will keep off the roads, he said.
The Federation has also asked the Clearing and Forwarding(C and F) Agents of FCI godowns and clearing houses to intimate the authorities they will not book additional wagons due to the strike. The C and F agents have been asked to issue notice to the FCI to this effect.
According to Nandakumar, the small and medium goods transporters are engaging in the business as a means of self-employment. However, the galloping fuel prices, rise in the insurance premiums and amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act have made the business unviable. He said the 500-odd lorry booking agents and transportation companies have expressed solidarity with the strike.