Lorry strike starts, supply of goods to get affected

An indefinite lorry strike in the southern states commenced today to highlight various demands, including a cut in third party premium that has been increased by 50 per cent.

The indefinite strike, which started at 6 am today, is expected to bring the movement of goods to a grinding halt in all the five southern States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Karnataka and Kerala along with the Union Territory of Puducherry.

A top office-bearer of lorry owners association said the rise in insurance premium of various insurance companies and even third-party insurance, toll collection has forced the association to call for a strike demanding that the Union government interfere and resolve the problems at the earliest.

"All transport vehicles will come to a halt from 6 am on March 30. Only vehicles carrying essential commodities are exempted from the strike," said SIMTA president Gopal Naidu.

“The Association had expressed their disregard for the 50 per cent insurance rise by the Insurance Regulatory Department Authority (IRDA), which was to be implemented from April 1. They were assured that there would not be a rise in the insurance,” said C. Dhanraj, secretary, state Lorry Owners’ Federation, Tamil Nadu.

Thanks to the initiative of Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, senior officials of the Union Transport Ministry held discussion with the office-bearers of SIMTA led by its president Gopal Naidu, and secretary G. R. Shanmugappa, held in New Delhi on Tuesday when the Centre accepted to keep the increase in insurance for vehicles in abeyance till a joint meeting is convened to discuss this issue.