KOCHI: The traders in the state are looking forward to the outcome of a meeting by the representatives of All India Confederation of Goods and Vehicle Owner's Association and Insurance Regulatory Authority of India on Monday to see the prospects for ending the ongoing strike by truckers. The price of essential commodities, particularly vegetables and food grains, has shown an upward spiral following the strike in the past two days. The escalation of the strike will worsen the situation, they said.
With the movement of goods carriers on a standstill, it would have an adverse impact on price and availability of goods, said A Jayaprakash, general secretary of Kerala State Lorry Owners Federation. "We are hoping that IRDA authorities will have a positive outlook to resolve the strike during the talks scheduled on Monday", he said. According to traders in vegetable market in Kochi the continuation of the truckers strike will have serious impact in coming days.
"The market is already feeling a crunch in the supply of goods due to the drought like situation in Tamil Nadu", said Joseph De Silva, joint secretary of the Broadway Shop Owners Association. According to him the price of vegetable like beans has moved up to over Rs 100 per kg from the levels of Rs 40 few days ago. Valiyangadi, the major market in Kozhikode is also feeling the pinch as the shops face shortage of vegetables, edibles and consumer goods items. Kozhikode district merchants' association president CE Chakkunni said many consumer items would be out of stock if the strike continues. "Availability of vegetables would be affected as this could not be stocked in huge quantities", he said. Blaming the government for its failure to ensure adequate arrangements", he said "the price of rice and vegetables have started increasing in the market".
