Truckers’ stir disrupts movement of essentials

The indefinite strike by the South Zone Motor Transporters Welfare Association kickstarted on Thursday midnight, bringing to a halt over 26 lakh trucks across the four southern states and Maharashtra. The strike has affected supply of vegetables, fruits and other essentials.

However, if the strike continues for some more days, the prices of perishable goods would go up, officials from the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) said.

“If the strike continues it would badly impact the supply of goods and services across the country. The strike should be resolved immediately as we are in the midst of the festival season,” said FKCCI president JR Bangera. RV Gopi, president, City Market Vegetables and Fruits Merchants’ Association, said that the prices of vegetables imported from other states would go up while those exported would fall if the strike continues.

BV Narayanappa, secretary, Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents’ Association, said that, on Friday, only about 350 trucks hit the roads for ferrying essential commodities and medicines. He said that the association held a meeting with chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda, who assured them that he would take up the matter with the Centre.

The South Zone Motor Transporters Welfare Association has issued a six-day ultimatum to the Centre, asking it to resolve the pending demands failing which it would launch a nationwide strike, he said.