Transport vehicle owners to strike from June 1

BANGALORE: Transport vehicle owners in the state are all set to go on a strike from June 1 in order to bring the government to the negotiating table on the issue of speed governors. Close to 8,75,000 Car/Maxi cab/Tempo travellers and bus operators are expected to go on an indefinite strike in order to protest what they call is an “unilateral” decision by the state government to implement the Speed Governor rule. They will be joined by close to 2,75,000 lorry owners. President of the South Karnataka Lorry Owners and Agents Association G R Shanmugappa alleged: “There seems to be a lobby who is creating many issues with the implementation. 1,552 lorries and around 4,000 commercial vehicles (yellow board) have been registered since March 2012. Not even one of them has got a speed governor fixed. They all just bribe the officials to look the other way. Shanmugappa also questioned the state government’s decision to fix  a speed of 65 KMPH in light of the fact that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) allows a limit of 80 KMPH in their highways. He said: “This adversely affects Karnataka registered lorries. Why must we be at a disadvantage?” Various associations will take part in the strike and their demand is that the state government withhold the implementation of the rule till it is introduced in the entire country. They also alleged that there are various other issues like the engine warranty becoming void if speed governors are fixed.  Shanmugappa said: “Also we want the government to fix the speed governors on their own and not leave it to the vehicle purchaser to do so.”  Various associations had held a strike in November before the deadline for installing speed governors.