Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 8: People are apprehending that the twin-districts might face shortage of petrol, diesel, LPG, vegetables, medicines and essential commodities if the ongoing nation-wide strike of truckers drags along for a few more days. As at present, the impact of the strike has not been experienced.

In an emergency meeting held at the office of the district deputy commissioner and chaired by the Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Krishna J Palemar here on Wednesday January 7, the minister asked the district administration to take up alternative steps to offset the impact of the truck strike in the district, as the strike has the potential to cause shortage of necessities of life. The meeting was specifically convened to discuss the ill-affects of the truck strike, particularly on the impact it can have on the supply of necessary items.

District deputy commissioner V Ponnuraj briefed the minister that the district has stocks to last for over a week as yet and that the administration is in readiness to take up alternative  methods to replenish the stocks if problems arise  due to the extension of the strike.

Regional transport officials, KSRTC officers, deputy director of food and civil supplies department, office bearers of the Bus Owners Association, chief executive officer of DK zilla panchayat P Shivshankar and several others took part in the meeting.

In the meantime, the union government has warned the striking lorry owners of bringing the truck strike under the Essential Services Maintenance Act and enforcing its penal provisions against them if they continue with their stir.