The steep increase in the price of petrol announced this week has triggered a nationwide shut-down, a Bharat Bandh, planned for May 31.

Since the bandh has been called by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the ruling party in the State, the BJP, is in support of it. Schools, banks and other sectors may close down because of the bandh.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, state BJP spokesperson S. Prakash said: “The party is supporting the bandh for which we have requested the citizens to cooperate as the bandh has been called against the spiralling rates of petrol which is impacting the common man.

By tomorrow, we will get a fair picture of the industries and other institutions who will be participating in the bandh by declaring their establishments closed on May 31.”

Many associations, government institutions etc told this newspaper that they are yet to take a decision on supporting the bandh.

If, as often happens, there is violence in the city, many establishments will be forced to down shutters.
Transport organisations have no plans to shut down.

Managing director of the Karnataka State Road Transport Coporation (KSRTC), N. Manjunatha Prasad said: “We will operate our services normally on May 31.

We have requested the police commissioner and the DGP to make adequate security arrangements. At all the depots, additional security staff will be deployed.”

AIMTC strike still on

It’s going to be double whammy for Bengalureans as a massive strike has been called against the implementation of speed governor rule and life time taxes from the midnight of May 31.

The indefinite strike called by the All India Motor Transport Congress is expected to afffect the supply of essential commodities as truckers’ federations in other states have been told not to enter the state.

The rule book says any commercial vehicle entering the state from June 1 without a speed governor will be penalised.

It is argued that the state government cannot impose restrictions on vehicles from other states. AIMTC said it is not fair to impose the rule just in Karnataka and it has to come into effect across the nation for uniformity.

The old commercial vehicles too have to be fitted with the devices by June 1. The department issued a circular on speed governors last year.

But the tour and travel industry, who have opposed it, argue that the equipment is not available for Euro-4 standard vehicles.

They said the speed governor rule is against the growth of industry.

“Some R&D institution have certified speed governors as unscientific. As per the Karnataka state highway rules speed limit for vehicles is 80 kmph in city limits and 100 kmph on highways.

If the speed is restricted to 65 kmph, there will be a huge loss in both transportation and tourism business,” said the General Secretary of Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners Association, K Radhakrishna Holla.

poojary opposes it

Opposing the Bharat Bandh called by the BJP-led NDA and other parties on May 31, former Union minister B. Janardhan Poojary said vehicle owners could be provided relief by cutting taxes imposed by the state.

“The central government had to hike the petrol price due to the steep increase in the crude oil rates in the world market. But states can ease the burden by cutting the local taxes,” he said.

“Delhi, Rajasthan, Goa and Kerala have cut the tax and reduced fuel prices. It is Rs 6 lesser in Kerala and Rs 19 lesser in Goa compared to our state.

The state government too should follow the same model. Let the state government reduce the taxes by Rs 7,” he demanded.