Sheeja Moodubelle
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, May 27: Taxi-men’s Association in the district have decided to join the indefinite strike called by the Motor Unions from May 31 midnight, in protest against the state government decision to implement speed governors from June 1.

Ramesh Kotian (general secretary of Taxi-men’s Association) said that the unions have also opposed the state's budgetary proposal of lifetime tax (LTT), which is too high than what is currently being levied by other states. He added that vehicle manufacturers do not provide warranty for the engines if speed governors are installed in vehicles.

The Supreme Court has directed the state government to make speed governors mandatory for all commercial and public transport vehicles. The enforcement will be effective from November 2 for new vehicles. For vehicles that are already registered June 1 is the deadline.

According to the Karnataka state highway rules, speed limit in city is 80 kmph and 100 kmph on highways.

Regarding LTT proposal in the year 2012-13 he said that six states charge LTT ranging from three to six percent depending on the cost of the vehicle. But the state had imposed LTT of 15% on vehicles exceeding Rs 10 lac. Even if the proposal cannot be rolled back, existing vehicles need to be exempted from new LTT and the LTT on new vehicles should be five to six percent as in other states, he added.

Satheesh Shetty Praveen Suvarna, Vikram Rao, S. Nayayan were present at the meet.