K'taka Goods Transporters Assn to join nationwide strike

Bangalore, Jan 12 (UNI) The Karnataka Goods Transporters Association will support the indefinite nationwide strike called by the All India Motor Transport Congress from January 20, demanding reduction of oil price and against the steep hike in Third Party Insurance Premium for Motor Vehicles.

In a release here today, KGTA President S P Vij, however, said the movement of essential commodities, including milk, vegetables, newspapers, gas and medicine, would be exempted.

Terming the Union Government's proposal to increase the Third Party Insurance Premium for Motor Vehicles by over 150 per cent with effect from January this year as ''unjustifiable and unbearable'', he condemned the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) for not coming to their rescue.

He criticised the Centre for not reducing the prices of petroleum products eventhough it fell sharply at the international market, in keeping with its commitment of reducing the price as and when there was a change in crude oil prices.

UNI