Date:12/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/12/stories/2009011253680400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Truckers’ strike: Ashok blames Union Government

Staff Reporter

‘Supplies of essential commodities not hit in State’

Bangalore: Even as the nation-wide truckers’ strike entered the seventh day on Sunday, Transport Minister R. Ashok blamed the Union Government for failing to break the deadlock.

The truckers, however, exuded confidence that the strike would end soon as the Union Government had convened a meeting.

“The Union Government has failed to resolve the issue either through talks or get the strike called off by initiating tough action against those who have given the call for it. The strike has hit the common people,” Mr. Ashok told presspersons on Sunday.

He said the State Government would not hesitate to take action against the truckers if the Union Government empowered it to do so.

Bill

“The Government is also thinking of tabling the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) Bill in the forthcoming legislature session in Belgaum. The State Government could not invoke ESMA as the earlier Act lapsed about 10 years ago,” the Minister added.

Pointing out that it was the fifth time in the last one year that the truckers in Karnataka had put people to inconvenience by calling for strike, the Minister said that frequent strikes would not attract sympathy of the people.

Supplies not hit

The Minister also said that there was no problem in the supply of vegetables and other essential goods to Bangalore as well as other parts of the State.

“We have made arrangements for transport of vegetables and essential goods by removing a couple of seats in buses. Tasks forces have been constituted to monitor the situation and keep round-the-clock vigil,” Mr. Ashok said.

The Minister said that talks would be held with the neighbouring States, if necessary, to ensure supply of foodgrains. Mr. Ashok also said people need not worry about Sankranti celebrations as there were no problems in ensuring proper supply of sugarcane, jaggery, sesame, sugar, and flowers for the festival.

Meanwhile, the truckers have exuded confidence that the meeting with Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, T.R. Baalu, on Monday would yield positive results.

“We may probably withdraw the strike on Monday, as Union Minister Mr. Baalu has called a meeting of truck association office-bearers. Transport commissioners of all States are also attending the meeting,” B.V. Narayanappa, State general secretary of the Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners and Agents’ Association told The Hindu here on Sunday.

According to him, at least 3.60 lakh trucks have been stranded at various places across the state, affecting the movement of goods.