K’taka Lorry Owners to go on strike at January 17

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: After last Tuesday’s strike observed by the truck drivers in North India had handicapped supply of Fuel and other essentials, Lorry Owners in Karnataka have decided to go on an indefinite strike starting January 17, it was confirmed on Saturday.

Addressing the reporters here, C Naveen Reddy, President of the Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners Association had made the decision after a meeting with its members.

With the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita being implemented, Reddy was concerned about the proposal to impose significant fines, including a 10-year imprisonment for drivers found guilty in hitand-run cases.

He also lamented at the Union government’s non-consultation of lorry owners in implementing the new criminal law.

The stringent laws proposed in the Act should be relaxed, considering the interests of the lorry industry and drivers," he said.

Another reason for the strike was the non-withdrawal of the law, despite the government promising abeyance. “we haven't received any assurance in writing,” Reddy said.

On January 1, Truck drivers went on strike, against a provision in the new criminal law that provides for a jail of up to 10 years and/or a fine of Rs 7 lakh for serious road accidents due to negligent driving and where drivers run away without informing the police.

This severely impacted fuel stock in Petrol Pumps and essential items like groceries and dairy products.