CM Siddaramaiah appeals to lorry owners to end strike

Bengaluru

Chief Minister held a key meeting with representatives of the Lorry Owners' Association at Kaveri on Tuesday, in an effort to address their ongoing strike.

He acknowledged that the recent state budget increased diesel duty by Rs. 2, but assured that diesel prices in Karnataka still remain lower compared to neighboring states. Appealing to the striking owners, the Chief Minister urged them to call off the protest in the interest of the public.

The CM pointed out that the previous government left behind unpaid bills of around ₹40,000 crore, which has caused a financial strain. Despite this, the current administration has taken steps to strengthen the transport sector.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said 2,000 new buses will be purchased and ₹350 crore has been approved as a loan to the corporation. He added that facilities such as cashless medical treatment for employees have already been implemented.

Key demands included salary revision from January 1, 2024, payment of 38 months’ arrears from the last revision, recruitment of mechanics, and withdrawal of cases filed during the 2020 and 2021 strikes.

Union leaders also demanded that electric buses be operated by existing drivers and not handed over to private contractors for maintenance.

Ministers G. Parameshwar, Bhairathi Suresh, political secretaries K. Govindaraj and Naseer Ahmed, chairpersons S.R. Srinivas and Raju Kage, and other officials attended the meeting.