Bengaluru:The 3-day stir of Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association ended on Thursday evening after Minister of Transport Ramalinga Reddy agreed to meet their demands and expressing happiness over the reply from the Minister, the Truckers withdrew their stir.Owing to truckers’ stir, it is estimated the State suffered a loss of about Rs 8,000 crore and it is said about 75 percent of truckers backed the stir given by Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association in fulfillment of their demands.After a meeting with the Minister of Transport Ramalinga Reddy in Bengaluru, G.R. Shanmugappa told reporters that among the five demands put forth before the State Government included removal of border areas RTO check-posts. Shanmugappa said RTO border areas check-posts have been removed in 14 States of the country and questioned, “Why do we need border areas RTO check-posts?”Border areas RTO check-posts existed in Karnataka for about 25 years and it is all set to go. The Minister assured to study the removal of border areas check-posts after conducting a study in four States where RTO check-posts have been removed, and a decision will be taken onthe removal of border areas RTO check-posts within two months.In availing Fitness Certificate (FC) for lorries, he said, a hefty fee of Rs 15,000 was charged from the owners and the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association demanded the FC fee be lowered. In response to the demand, the Minister kept the demand in “on hold.” Shanmugappa stated “We are happy with the response of the Minister.”Diesel prices have gone up and there was a demand from the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association for rate fixation for lorries such as for auto-rickshaws /taxis among other commercial vehicles. The fixation of rates for lorries was pending for the last 25 years in Karnataka and Ramalinga Reddy assured to fix rates for lorries for a ton/ for a km. Ramalinga Reddy assured to announce rate fixation for lorries in a month’s time.However, Shanmugappa stated if their demands are not met by the State Government within the stipulated period, then, lorries will block National Highways to register their protest in fulfillment of their demands.
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