Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru(DV)

Mangaluru, May 6: Demanding the government to fulfil their demands like fixing of universal revised fares on trucks loaded with cargo to stop problems of overload and various other problems of the truck owners, Karavali Karnataka lorry owners sangha cautioned them about staging a severe protest in the days to come.

Addressing a press meet at Pathmudi Saudha here on Friday April 6, Varun Chowta, assoction member said, "At present the existing rate is just Rs 950 per tonne, which is very low when factors like expenditure of fuel, insurance, maintenance among others are considered. If the rate for a loaded truck is fixed as per the current conditions, then the agencies will not force the driver to overload the truck. Lorry owners are facing several problems. The government must stop interstate trucks from Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andra Pradesh and others states from carrying cargo in the state. The companies in the state should use the lorries from Karnataka. But transport agencies with a duplicate bill transport cargo within Karnataka. This is also a violation of the law." By violating the law these transport agencies overload cargo for the purpose of profit."

"Every agency obtains a copy of the pan card from the lorry owners but does not provide a TDS certificate to obtain a relaxation from tax. At Mangaluru port, a few transport agencies weigh the loaded trucks outside the port and illegally obtain a bill from the port," he said.

He also explained the various problems faced by the lorry owners, by the middlemen (transport agencies) at the port. He also said that the driver has to pay a bribe to the police while carrying the goods. If
not then the police unnecessarily harass the drivers. Hence the state government should solve the problems of the truck owners.

On this occasion K B Sujan president of Karnataka Lorry Owners Sangha, president Vasanth Bangera Hosabettu, Sachin Kulai and others were present.