BANGALORE: Members of the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association (FKSLOAA) descended on the Janata Dal (S) office on Friday to submit a memorandum to State JD (S) president H D Kumarswamy and requested him to support the ongoing strike.Protesting against sand transport being brought under the purview of the Revenue Act, the FKSLOAA approached Kumaraswamy and listed the problems dealing with improper rules for the transport of sand in the state. The federation claims that 30,000 trucks from the state were taking part in this agitation against alleged high handedness by officials concerned.“When Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister we went on strike, he heard our problems and sorted them in 20 days and that is why we have come to him now,” said G R Shanmugappa, president, FKSLOAA. He said that lorry owners bear expenses of maintenence and fuel costs and they could not afford the exorbitant fines and bribes.“I am with them, the state government will have to solve their problems as sand is an essential commodity in Bangalore and surrounding cities,” said Kumaraswamy. “The state government has not specified areas or rules for sand extraction permits. This has led to increase in the levels of filter sand coming into the city from neighbouring villages, this has to be acted upon,” he added.However, the other lorry owners association in the state, the Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners Association (FOKLA) led by B Channa Reddy seem to think the ongoing strike must be curtailed to avoid disturbance to the public. “They have a reason to go on strike, but they must do it for a short time peacefully to get noticed, otherwise everyone concerned with the industry will be affected including the consumers,”said Vishwanath, secretary, FOKLA.
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