While traders continued to maintain that there are sufficient stocks to deal with Bengaluru’s demand for up to one week, panic buying is likely to set in if a meeting between truck owners’ associations and the Union government on Wednesday does not result in the ongoing strike being called off.
The truckers strike resulted in non-distribution of vegetables and foodgrains at the Yeshwantpur Agricultural Produce Market Committee yard on Tuesday leading to fears of an impending price rise for essential commodities among distributors.
According to Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, president of Bengaluru Wholesale Foodgrains and Pulses Merchants’ Association: “We have spoken to the local truck associations and have asked them to allow lifting of foodgrains for in-city distribution. This will ensure that the stock, which is currently in Yeshwantpur, does not perish.”
While LPG tanker associations joined the strike on Sunday, fuel transport associations have stayed away and said that the supply of fuel will continue across the city. “We have not taken any decision to join the strike yet. Fuel supply will continue,” said B.R. Ravindranath, president, Bangalore Petroleum Dealers’ Association.
With the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) refusing to budge on the issue of a reduction in third party insurance premiums, the single largest demand of the striking truckers, various associations participating in the strike are pegging their hopes on the Wednesday meeting. “We have a letter from the government keeping the hike in rates in abeyance till the time that discussions on the matter are held. But IRDAI has implemented the hike anyway. Now we are hoping that the Centre intervenes and resolves the matter,” said K.G. Ravindra, Chairman, Passenger Segment, All India Motor Transport Congress.
Cab services
Meanwhile, cab services will continue to operate for now. While associations have given moral support to the strike, there has not been any clear call on halting operations for now.
