Lorry owners' stir in Kerala

Truck, lorry and contract carriage owners of Kerala began an indefinite strike from midnight on Sunday. With a section of the tanker lorry owners too participating in the strike, the distribution network of petroleum products of the state may be paralysed in two or three days.

The co-ordination committee of truck and lorry owners called for the strike against the government's decision to contribute to the employees welfare fund along with vehicle tax. A lorry/truck owner has to pay Rs 700 a month to the fund and it should be remitted on a quarterly basis along with the tax.

The government had directed the motor vehicles department that tax should be collected only after the contribution to the welfare fund is remitted. The truck owners have demanded the withdrawal of this directive.

The committee has also demanded withdrawal of introducing speed governors in trucks and lorries and reduction in sales tax on petroleum products. Kerala transport minister N Shakthan in a discussion with the leaders of the committee had assured of considering their demands but was not in favour of withdrawing the direction regarding the contribution to the welfare fund.

Traders here said that the business in the state will be paralysed since the movement of products get affected by the strike.

Rubber dealers said that trading had already been hit by the strike and if it continues rubber prices will be decreased.

Being a consumer state the common life will get affected due to the strike as there will be shortage of essential commodities and vegetables if the strike is not withdrawn soon.

The government had promised to ensure that essential commodities are available in the market.